Ashwell Buildings and Antiquities

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

2nd Edition

David Short

Ashwell Village Museum 2020

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the author.

Published by: Ashwell Village Museum 11 Swan Street Ashwell Hertfordshire SG7 5NY

ISBN:

2 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Contents

Preface 1st edition 4 Preface 2nd edition 5 Acknowledgements 6 Introduction 7 List of Buildings Angell’s Meadow 9 Ashwell Street 9 Back Street 9 Bacons Yard 10 Church Lane 10 Church Path 10 Claybush Road formerly Bygrave Road 10 Fordham close 10 Gardiner's Lane 10 Green Lane 11 High Street 11 Hodwell 22 Kingsland Way 24 Lucas Lane 24 Mill Street 25 Newnham Way 30 Partridge Hill 30 The Rickyard 30 Silver Street 30 Springhead 31 Station Road 32 Swan Street 33 West End 34 Outskirts of the village 38 List of Antiquities and other sites of interest 41 Glossary of Architectural Words 44 Note on Legislation affecting Listed Buildings 45 Further Reading 46

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Preface To the first edition

This list of buildings and other things of special interest in Ashwell is the result of a working party set up by the Parish Council in response to a request from the District Council to recommend revisions to the list of Listed Buildings which was originally prepared by the former Ministry of Housing and Local Government in the 1950s. It was widely recognised that a number of un-listed houses of definite architectural value in the village were worthy of listing, while others already listed merited up-grading.

During the meetings of the working party a great deal of information which had not hitherto been recorded was collected together from recent research and local knowledge, especially from Messrs. John Bray and Albert Sheldrick, founders of the Village Museum. After the revised list had been submitted to the District Council it seemed a pity to let this wealth of knowledge to mature in some filing system where it was not easily available to people interested in the village. It was therefore agreed by the Parish Council and approved at an open meeting of the Ashwell Association that the material should be published as a booklet with two principal modifications, namely the omission of the names of house owners and occupiers, and the omission of the Ministry grades (both existing and as revised by the working party).

The opportunity has been taken to expand some of the information and to add details of new buildings. It should be emphasised that what follows here is not the statutory list of Historic Buildings and has no official standing but, as with the Ashwell Village Appraisal, it is hoped that it will be of use and interest to the inhabitants of the village and those concerned with its rich architectural heritage.

Corrections and additions for a future edition would be welcome.

"How these curiosities would be quite forgott did not such idle fellowes as I putt them down". John Aubrey, Brief Lives.

4 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Preface To the second edition

As part of the working of the Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Working Group it was decided to take another look at this list to see if it could still be of use in making planning decisions and to revise where necessary.

This has been done and once again it has been decided to publish the results.

There are some changes in the way this edition has been set out and the information that is in it. Firstly the detail of properties, where it has been possible to identify the correct building/site, farm the 1829 Rate Survey that was undertaken in the parish.1 This survey lists the owners of properties, the tenants, a description of the property and the rental value. This latter figure was used for basing the rates on and continued in use until the 1980s when first the poll tax and then the council tax superseded it. Secondly the description of the listed building with the grade which is published by Historic England.2 Thirdly there are Additional informations that were made in 1979 and today. These are from local knowledge and have no legal status at all. Reference is made to the sketches of Charlotte Morice the daughter of the Rector Henry Morice. These sketches, with other of local settlements, Cambridge and Prague were sold to raise money to found a girls’ school. This became known as Mrs Ratcliffe’s School, Ratcliffe being her marriage name. the school was closed when the board school, now Ashwell Primary School, was opened in 1878. Most of the sketches are in a book in HALS where they can be viewed.3

The second section lists other sites of interest including Scheduled sites in the Parish. These are areas which Historic England considers to be of great importance and need to have some form of protection. Where the site is an arable field the farmer may be restricted at to how deep they can plough. It will also restrict whether people can go and dig holes in the field.

It is hoped that this booklet will help inform parish councillor and other planners when they make decisions on particular buildings or sites. It is also hope that it will be of general interest.

David Short Ashwell 2020

1 Survey of the Farmsteads, Private Dwellings-houses, Shops, Cottages, etc. etc at Ashwell, Hertfordshire made August 1829 editor David Short, Ashwell 2 Historic England, The Listing https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/ 3 Sketches of Ashwell, 1830 – 1850 by Charlotte Morice HALS Ref. DE/X916 5

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Acknowledgements

First edition Members of the Parish Council Working Party on Listed Buildings Liz Moynihan, Chairman Gurney Sheppard Chairman of the Parish Council John Bray Philip Coverdale Phil Crump Howard Day Albert Sheldrick David Sherlock David Short

Edited and Produced by David and Heather Sherlock Cover Desiged by Colin Barker Typing and Layout by Eileen Higham Printing and Binding by Inprint of Luton (Designers & Printers) Ltd.

Enquiries Ashwell Association c/o Little Garth Mill Street Ashwell Near Baldock, Hertfordshire.

Second Edition

6 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Introduction

The Physical Setting Ashwell is a thriving parish of 4,108 acres in North Hertfordshire, on the borders of Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. with a population of about 2,000 (2011) it is the largest of a group of villages situated in a rural area of some 45 square miles, bounded on the west by the A1 on the east by the A14 and on the south by the A505. The nearest small towns are Baldock (4 miles south-west) and Royston (6 miles east). Visually this is an extremely attractive area. Approaching Ashwell from the south or west one passes through open arable land and on to the steep north-facing scarp of Newnham and Claybush Hills. These provide a sudden wide view over the valley where the river Cam has its sources, to the hills of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Ashwell, with its magnificent church, nestles among trees immediately below, stretching along the spring line. Approaching from the north and east the low-lying pastures, trees and hedgerows provide a green contrast with the unspoilt horizon of the chalk hills to the south.

In the northern part of the parish the land is low-lying and gently undulating, formed on chalk marl. Southwards the land rises quite steeply to over 300ft above sea level in the middle chalk escarpment, the Eastern Heights a north-easterly extension of the Chilterns. Boulder clay, deposited at the end of the Ice Age, caps the highest point, Claybush Hill (100m).

At the base of the escarpment are outcrops of Totternhoe stone, a well-jointed chalk, which produces springs from water gathered in the porous chalk. Much of the older part of the village stretches along the lower slope where water could be reached fairly easily from shallow wells.

All the soils in Ashwell are alkaline. That on the escarpment is light, easily worked and drains quickly. It contrasts with those on Claybush Hill and on the chalk marl which are quite wet and heavy.

Historical Background From early times the present parish of Ashwell has been a focus for settlements. In 2005 a Neolithic (2,700 -2,000 BC) henge was excavated near the corner of Station Road and Ashwell Street. In the Bronze Age (c. 1800 to c. 800 BC) the presence of a number of burial barrows in the southern half of the parish suggest that there must have been settlement in the area. During the Iron Age (c. 800 BC to 100 AD) Arbury Banks was built and occupied. However the mani settlement in this period was probably at Buttway, half way to Ashwell End. During the Roman period there was a shrine at Ashwell End to the Ashwell goddess Senuna. Having a shrine there infers that there would be services to feed and bed the visiting pilgrims. To date the area has not been investigated thoroughly to see where exactly this settlement was. Not far from the shrine was a villa with a possible bath house. There was also a Roman villa on the south facing slope of Partridge Hill not far from Arbury Banks. Ongoing excavation suggest that there was also a religious site in the Roman period south of the springs.

The present village, or town as it was known until the beginning of the twentieth century century, probably began as a frontier borough, built by King Alfred's son Edward the Elder around 917.4 The place-name is first recorded in the will of Authelgifu who died c. 990. By 1086 (Domesday Book) Ashwell was one of the most important towns in Hertfordshire being a borough, a market town, with fourteen burgesses, and dues amounting to 49 shillings and 4 pence due to the Abbot of Westminster who was lord of the manor.

For many centuries the market played a central role in the history of Ashwell. From earliest times it attracted the interest of neighbouring areas. High Street, with its important farms, was one of the boundaries of the market place, the others being Gardiners Lane, Swan Street, Hodwell and the footpath from Hodwell to High Street at the Springs. When the market began to decline in the seventeenth century the fortunes of Ashwell also declined. In 1850 there was a disastrous fire covering a large part of the village, sketches and an account of which can be seen in the Museum.

4‘Ashwell: an example of Anglo-Saxon town planning’, by David Short in Hertfordshire a county of small towns Terry Slater and Nigel Goose editors, Hatfield 2012 7

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

St. Mary's Church dominates the landscape with its great nave and tower. Built between 1320 and 1390 it reflects the prosperity of the town of that period. Life in Ashwell is reflected in the Church, the graffiti tells of the disaster brought by the plague of 1348-50 and the great storm of 1361. The interior, devoid of murals, ancient stained glass or statues, reflects the strong influence of the Protestants in the seventeenth century and later. Until recently there were no less than six different non-conformist chapels in the village although not all in operation at any one time.

Enclosure came late in 1863. The structure of the town still reflects this and the agricultural depression which was to follow shortly afterwards. Up to the Second World War the main farms of the parish could still be found in High Street, as they would have been found in Anglo-Saxon times. But in the last fifty years changes in farming methods have meant the decline of these farmyards as working farms, so that today no working farms can be seen in the village. The two breweries, Fordham’s and Page's, both now defunct, also once employed a large proportion of the population of the village.

It is almost impossible to estimate the population of Ashwell prior to the census of 1801, but a few rough figures are available. In Domesday Book, 1086, there are 83 families listed in the borough, making a population of between 350 and 450 people. In 1307 this figure had risen to 129 families making a population of between 550 and 600 people. By 1563 the number of families had fallen to 87, between 350 and 450 people. In 1801 there were 715 people. A peak of 1,576 persons was reached in 1871 which then fell back to 1360 in 1971. In 2011 the number had risen to about 2,000.5

5 For a fuller discussion of Ashwell population figures and how these allow you to compare Ashwell with the surrounding area see ‘The History of Ashwell from a wider perspective’ in Snippets of Ashwell’s History Vol 2, David Short, Ashwell 2012. Census figures appear to be accurate but there were assumption made about under-registration. 8 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C List of Buildings

The Village

Angell's Meadow Additional information 44 houses, including those in Silver Street, built 1975-1978.

Quaker Burial Ground Additional information The original Quaker Meeting House was burned down in the fire of 1850. This walled burial ground only has early 19th century gravestones.

Ashwell Street The Mount Rate Survey Cottage, Stud and plastered with thatched roof containing 2 rooms on the ground floor and 2 bedrooms above. Small back Gardens and small frontage Do. Well of Water and large Garden rented of Mr. Farr. Old Pigsty.

Cottage same as last containing 2 rooms on the Ground floor and 2 bedrooms above.

Additional information Site of former pest house and before 1834 possibly, for a short time, was the parish workhouse. The present building is not that which was described in the Rate Survey and is, in 2020, largely ruined.

30-32 Flint Cottages Additional information The only cottages of flint construction in the village probably built after 1829 but definitely before 1841.

Back Street 51-53Pixie Cottage Rate Survey Cottage part boarded part clayed and thatched containing 2 rooms on the ground floor and one bedroom. Barn boarded and thatched. Small garden.

Additional information Much altered in the 20th century.

63-69 Forester's Cottages Additional information Built in 1892 for local members of the Ancient Order of Foresters, which is a friendly society formed in 1834. The Order still owns the allotments behind the cottages.

83 Bellbine Cottage Rate Survey Cottage, Stud and plastered with thatched roof containing 2 rooms and Pantry on the ground floor and 2 bedrooms above. Barn Stud and clayed with thatched roof adjoining Small Yard, old Wood hovel and Pigsty. Good Garden.

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Cottage same as last containing Sitting room, 2 bedrooms and small Pantry. Small Garden and Well of Water.

Additional information The present cottage is said to have been built by Fred Bray in 1920. It is not known if the earlier cottages were incorporated in the new structure. Sympathetically designed.

87 Wayside Cottage Rate Survey Cottage Stud and plastered with thatched roof containing 2 rooms on the ground floor and 2 bedrooms above. Small frontage Garden inclosed with palisade fence. Barn Stud and clayed with thatched roof. Small Yard, good Garden, and well of good Water.

Listing Grade II House. Later 17th century. Timber frame. Clunch and plaster walls. Brick plinth. Modern pantile roof. 2 storeys. 2 windows, the upper floor with glazing bar casements, the ground floor with sashes. Panelled door with moulded wood reveal. Rebuilt ridge stack on left centre. The right gable end has its upper floor jettied on straight brackets.

Additional information The claybat and weatherboarded barn at the rear with thrashing floor or 'midstie' was incorporated in the house in the 1980s.

2-20 Bear Farm Buildings The site was destroyed in the fire of 1850. Pantiled single storey outbuildings forming a noteworthy boundary along Bear Lane. The farmyard was redeveloped in 1979 for housing by the Ashwell Housing Association. Peter Boston was the architect.

Dixies Farm Dovecote Rate Survey Large Dove House, brick built and tiled. (Part of the description for Upper Farmyard of Dixies Farm in High Street)

Listing Grade II Dovecote and granary. 30 metres southwest of Dixies. Late 17th century, largely rebuilt in late 18th century. Red brick, partly chequered. Plain tile roof, hipped with louvred gablets. Square plan. 2 storeys. Dentilled brick eaves. south elevation has ground and first floor plank doors. Bottom part of ground floor has 17th century bricks.

Additional information The east wall was partially demolished by the owner in the late 1970s which he was forced to rebuilt.

50 The Engine Rate Survey Cottage, part boarded part clayed with thatched Roof containing One Room on the ground floor and bedroom above. Leanto Pigsty. Small Wood Barn. Small Garden.

Cottage Stud and plastered with tiled roof containing sitting room Oven Pantry and 2 bedrooms. Small narrow Garden.

Cottage part brick and part boarded with tiled roof, containing sitting room. Pantry and. 2 bedrooms. Small garden.

Cottage under the same roof as last. Stud and plastered containing Sitting room and Pantry on the ground floor and 2 bedrooms above. Small Garden front of House. A piece of Garden ground at the back.

10 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Cottage same as last, containing Sitting room and Pantry on the ground floor and 2 bedrooms above. Small garden in front. Ditto at the back.

Additional information A beerhouse and pub from the 1870s to the late 1970s. Plastered with steeply pitched slate roof. The cottage at the west end was added c.1930. The ‘Engine’ refers to a thrashing engine which was possibly situated in the garden of 110 High Street.

Bacons Yard Additional information Houses built in 1978 on the site of Bluegates Dairy. A film made in 1947 shows cows being milked in the dairy.

Church Lane 3 Methodist Society Meeting House Additional information Built sometime before 1841 it was converted into two houses in 1880 when, as it was too small for the congregation, it was sold. A larger chapel was built a few metres away at 51 High Street. This chapel was closed in 1978 and demolished for new housing in 1979.

Church Path Church Path cottages Additional information Mid-19th century (probably in the 1850s). Clay bat construction under slate roof. They form an important feature of this approach to the St Mary’s Church. A barn stood here in 1826. A coin of Louis Napoleon of France, which is now in Ashwell Museum, was found here.

Claybush Road formerly Bygrave Road 2 The Orchard Additional information A lime kiln in the garden is still in a good state of preservation. It went out of use in 1930. The lime used in the Lutyens’ alterations to The Bury was burnt here.

4-14 The Bungalows Additional information A number of bungalows were built in the 1920 by F J Bailey the builder. He had decided to close his business and built these houses with the materials he had lying in his builder’s yard. The result was not only different styles but different building materials depending on what was available. Many have now been demolished.

Royal Observer Corps monitoring post Near the top of Claybush Hill was an underground monitoring post which was used by the Royal Observer Corps.

Fordham Close Additional information All but four of the buildings that made up Fordham's Brewery were demolished in 1973. The survivors were the Maltings, Kiln House, Dray House and the Manager’s office in Mill Street.

The Maltings and The Kiln House Additional information 11

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Late 19th century. Yellow brick; slate roof. Sympathetically altered to residential use in 1973. Awarded a North Herts District Council Civic Award in 1975. This part of the Maltings was once used as a grain store with chute and engine house.

The Dray House Additional information 19th century stables converted to residential use in 1976. Interesting windows and features as in the Maltings. Part of the building was the cooper’s workshop. Awarded North Herts District Council Commendation 1979.

Gardiner's Lane 1, 3 Chevney Cottage and another cottage Rate Survey Cottage, Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Sitting room. Kitchen, Pantry and 2 bedrooms. Small back Kitchen. Pigsty, Carpenters Shop. Yard and Pump of Water.

Cottage as last containing Sitting room and bedroom.

Listing Grade II Pair of cottages in single range, broken in central ground floor by a square cart entrance. 17th century, altered mid-19th century. Timber frame. 17th century brick plinth. Roughcast walls. Low- pitched slate roof with wide eaves. 2 white brick stacks. Cheney Cottage on right has central recessed half-glazed door. Single sashes each side. 19th century cast iron casements above. No. 1 has 2 glazing bar casements. The east entrance has a 19th century moulded architrave.

5 Rate Survey Cottage, Stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing 2 rooms on the ground floor and 2 bedrooms on the One pair. Stud and plastered Barn with thatched roof.

Listing Grade II Cottage. Late 17th or early 18th century. Timber frame. Roughcast. Thatched roof. 2 storeys. 3 19th century sash windows slightly recessed in moulded wood frames. Left 1st floor sashes are paired; right ones have replacement glazing bars. Right return elevation has 3 ground floor casements; exposed floor plates and heavy purlins.

Cob Wall, Gardiners Lane (West side) Listing Grade II Wall on west side of Gardiners Lane. Probably 18th century, restored in 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. White cob. Thatched coping. White brick plinth. Approximately 80 metres long, canted on plan, returning for 6 metres on south end. About 3 metres high. The plinth is mostly 19th century white brick.

Additional information Restored and re-thatched in 1973 and 2006. Boundary of old vegetable garden of the Bury. It is now the roadside boundary wall of Wolverley House

Wolverley House Additional information Sheltered accommodation built in 1973. Designed by Donald Insall and Partners.

2, 4 Listing Grade II House pair. Mid-19th century, altered on left (No. 4). Timber frame. Plastered walls, yellow brick on left. Low slate roof. 2 storeys. 3 glazing bar casements. Right house is 2 windows with central yellow brick stack. Plank doors each end. Moulded window architraves. Lower windows

12 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

are Yorkshire casements. Included for group value.

Additional information 2 was the home of Flo Worboys BEM who for over 60 years delivered post in Ashwell. 4 was the home of Albert Skerman who looked after the Cottage Garden when it was first created.

10 Additional information A cottage connected to the corner house of Workhouse Row by an interesting arched passage way. It would appear that the northern end of the building is probably built of claybats and predates the Victorian brick extension which includes the arched passage way. Late 18th century.

Zoar Baptist Chapel Additional information Mid-19th century yellow brick and slate. The gable end has barge boards. Inside is an immersion bath.

Old Barn Additional information Formerly barn connect to Little Garth in Mill Street. Was, for many years, a badminton court before being converted into a house in 1980s

20 Bonnets Barn Additional information Barn connected to Le Goodgrooms in Mill Street. Was used by Marie Whitby as an exhibition space in the 1970s and 1980s prior to it being converted into a house in the 1990s

Merchant Taylors’ Close Additional information Created in 2002-3 when the Merchant Taylors’ School site was sold for development. It is on the site of the school playground. When the school closed the playground was made into a hard-surface tennis court and an orchard where sheep were occasionally grazed.

50 Chain Cottage Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing Sitting room and 2 bedrooms. Piece of Garden Ground and Well of Water.

Cottage under the same Roof as the last, containing Sitting room and 2 bedrooms. Piece of Garden Ground.

Listing Grade II Cottage, formerly a pair. Early 18th century. Wings added at front corners in mid19th century. Timber frame with plastered walls. Thatched roof. S elevation has 2 eaves dormer windows cut into thatch, the ground floor with 4 leaded casements, paired together at outsides and with small bracketed hoods. N elevation has 20th century door and pentice. Central 18th century` ridge stack. Wings each side are single storey. Painted clunch walls, pantile roofs. Small red brick stacks.

Additional information Pleasant outbuildings attached. Extensive renovation and modernisation in 1978.

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Green Lane The Maltings Additional information Maltings built c. 1914 for E K and H Fordham. Was used by White's to bottle soft drinks prior to being converted into flats in 1990.

3 The Croft Additional information Orange brick; low hipped slate roof. Built by L Newell in 1971.

Baldwins corner Additional information Late Victorian house with later extensions.

High Street 5 Ashwell House Additional information Formerly 'The Mount’. Built c. 1904 by Dr Woodforde the local doctor. It is in Georgian style: red brick; tiled roof; sash windows.

7 Spring House/Hall Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing 2 Parlours in front and Kitchen and Pantry at back on the ground floor and 3 bedrooms on the One pair. Detached Coal house. Stable and Barn, Stud and clayed with thatched roof. Summer House, Boarded and sashed with slated roof.

Listing Grade II House. 16th century or earlier core. Mid-19th century brick casing, now painted. Plain tile hipped roof. 2 storeys. Core of house on west shows a 17th century red brick stack behind front roof. The front has 2 recessed sash windows, those of ground floor with 8/8-panes and stuccoed lintels. east side has 2 further sashes with later glazing bars; door on left. Rear range with 2 flush sash windows in plastered wall. Internally the west half shows 16th century construction. Cross wing bay nearest road. Probably a hall in centre. Formerly Springhead Hall. "Fair View" on Provisional Listed Survey

Additional information Ashwell's first known resident doctor, Dr Edward Tindale, lived here from the 1840s to the 1870s.

15 Jessamine House Rate Survey Dwelling House. Brick and Sashed with tiled roof containing Sitting room, Parlour, Kitchen, Small Pantry on the ground floor and 4 bedrooms on the One Pair. Dairy, Wash house and Pump of Water. Leanto Brewhouse, Cheese room. Store room and Cellar. Leanto Malting Office, stud and plastered with tiled roof with Barley and Malt Chambers. Large Barley Barn, part boarded, part clayed with thatched roof. Smaller Barn, Do. Do. Wheat Barn with a set of thrashing planks. Boarded with thatched roof. Range of Boarded Buildings with tiled roof, containing 2 Cart horse Stables with Lofts over, Cowhouse and 2 Pigsties. 3 Bay Cart and Waggon Hovel with thatched roof. Range of Brick buildings with tiled roof cont. Woodhouse and Pigsty with Corn Chambers over. Dove house, Boarded and clayed, thatched roof and a Garden.

Listing Grade II* House. Circa 1700. Interior with some reused 16th century timber framing. Chequered red brick front. Plain tile gable end roof. 2 storeys and attics. 5 wood casements with flat gauged brick 14 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

lintels. Central door with 4 fielded and 2 glazed panels and semi circular hood with moulded cornice. Heavy moulded wood modillioned eaves cornice. 3 casement dormers with pediment gables. Moulded floor band, carried over doorcase. Rear elevation has a plastered gabled stair tower and a large external red brick stack. 20th century 1½-storey extension. East gable end is plastered. Formerly a lower timber frame extension on this side. Interior has arched central passage and 18th century dog-leg staircase with barley twist balusters. Original fielded panelling to front right ground floor room. (RCHM Typescript).

Additional information The fire of 1850 ended in this house scorching some of the then staircase. A barn at the rear used by Fordham’s Brewery was destroyed but was replaced. It was a farm. This house became the office of the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain who renovated the barn behind for their own use. The house then became the headquarters of a college before becoming once again a home in the 2015/6.

17 Brassknocker Farm Rate Survey Dwelling House. Brick and Sashed with tiled Roof, containing Entrance Hall, Front Parlour, Back Do., Kitchen, leanto Wash house, 5 bedrooms and Cellar. Woodhouse and Granary over. Wheat Barn with a set of thrashing planks part boarded, part clayed with thatched roof. Long Barn boarded with thatched roof. Return Barn from last. Boarded with thatched roof. Range of boarded Buildings with thatched roof containing Hen house, Cutting Barn, Nag Stable, Cart horse Stable and Chaffhouse. Cowhouse adjoining Boarded with thatched roof. Waggon Hovel and Leanto Cattle Shed and Pump of Water. Old Shed with thatched roof leading to Upper Farm Homestall and Gateway Entrance. In the Upper Farm Yard 5 Bay Barn, boarded and thatched. Leanto Seed Shed and an old Hurdle Shed.

Additional information Was burnt down in the fire of 1850. The present building was built after the fire. The farm was moved to its present site in Station Road and renamed Redlands Farm after enclosure in 1863.

21 Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Drapers Shop, Sitting room. Back Kitchen and Pantry on the Ground floor and 4 bedrooms on the One pair. Small Garden at back

Additional information Was burnt down in the 1850 fire. Painted brick; tiled roof; decorative bargeboards and corner porch. It was the Australian Cow public house between 1859 and 1915. The pub was so named after the landlord's son, returning by ship from Australia, bought the cow which was on board to provide fresh milk for the people on board and gave it to his father who lived in the house. From the 1960s to 1980s the eastern ground floor was occupied by Barclay's Bank.

United Reformed Chapel Additional information Formerly Congregational Chapel and probably the site of a chapel dating from 1791-3. Called Wesleyan Meeting House in 1841.

The chapel was built in 1829 – there are two bricks dated low down on the east wall near the front of the building and higher up on the west wall with the date on them. The front was rebuilt in 1852 after the chapel had been badly damaged by the fire of 1850. The front is of three bays with tall pilasters and round arch over the central bay rising into a broken pediment, built of red brick with yellow brick for the pilasters and door and window dressings. Slate roof with interesting central ventilator. The interior was refashioned in 1907 with the art nouveau decoration which consist of fluted holes in the boards around the gallery, the pew ends and on the pulpit; the dado frieze; the 15

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

frieze at the top of the walls and the stained-glass windows. The chapel was redecorated in 2018.

The hall is constructed of Cambridge white bricks and has a large arched window on the south wall. It has a rounded corner at the junction of Silver Street and Kingsland Way to help traffic turn. The windows were replaced with PVC ones and a new front door inserted in 2016.

27 Greith House Additional information Built after the fire of 1850. Painted brick; slate roof.

29 Anton Cottage Additional information Built after the fire of 1850. Two storeys. Brick front and rendered clay bats.

35. Whitby Farm Additional information Mid-19th century. Yellow brick; slate roof; sash windows; double front door. High wall bordering the road with pollarded trees. Renovated in 2015. The White Horse Inn and a saddler's shop stood on this site c. 1830 but were destroyed in the fire of 1850.

39, 41 Additional information 19th century pair of cottages with another building behind. Deep well in the garden. Part of the site of the White Horse Inn and saddler's shop. Destroyed by the fire of 1850, when Whitby Farm was also destroyed.

43 Ratcliffe House Additional information Built in 1840-1 by Miss Charlotte Morice as a girls’ school. She was the daughter of the vicar Henry Morice, who in 1846 married Thomas Ratcliff. Constructed in claybats with stock brick facade which was added when the school closed in 1878 and the building became a house. Unusual windows at back. A model of the house is in the Museum. Sketch of it by Charlotte Morice.

45 Beams Rate Survey Cottage containing Sitting room, Pantry and bedrooms.

Listing Grade II House. 16th century, altered in the 18th and 20th centuries. Exposed timber frame. Plastered walls with 20th century patterned brick infill. Plain tile roof with 18th century red brick stack to left gable end. 2 storeys. 3 20th century glazing bar casements. 3 bays, the right bay a 18th century extension. Whole front built up in 18th century. Inside, the left bay has very heavy chamfered floor beam.

Additional information Was part of the Bulls Head public house until the rest of the pub buildings were pulled down in the late 1960s. The patterned brick infill was inserted in the late 1960s.

53 (formerly listed as house and shop occupied by C.H. Collis) Rate Survey Dwelling House stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing large Bakehouse with a large Bakers Oven fitted up tor heating the same with Coals. Sitting room, Passage leading to Yard and Dairy and 3 bedrooms. Detached Stable and Wood Shed, part boarded and part plastered. Barn, Stud and clay with thatched roof. Yard with Pump of Water and Garden planted with fruit 16 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

trees. Cart Shed at end of House boarded and thatched.

Listing Grade II House. Probably late 16th century, altered 17th century. Exposed timber frame to upper floor. Plastered ground floor; roughcast left gable end. The front has 3 20th century barred windows. Red brick chimney stack inserted late 17th century on rear slope of roof. Internally the house is 3 bays. A back wing was added in 17th century. A diamond-mullioned window of the original house was blocked when stack was inserted. 1st floor room at rear has bolection-moulded fireplace. (RCHM Typescript).

Additional information Mullioned windows on front are part of the modernisation of 1977-8. Awarded North Herts District Commendation 1979.

55 The Guild House Rate Survey Cottage, stud and plastered with tiled roof containing Sitting room. Pantry, bedroom and small Store room. Small Barn Boarded with thatched roof and a Garden.

Listing Grade II House. Built 1681 (date in pargetting) as infill between earlier houses left and right. Timber frame. Plastered walls, the upper floor with deep pargetted patterns in rectangular panels. Subjects include scrolled foliage and a dragon. 2 storeys. 1 glazing bar casement. Door on left with simple cut bracket hood. Right return shows weatherboarding to ground floor. 17th century brick stack on rear slope of roof. (RCHM Typescript).

Additional information Incorrectly named as the Guild House – see the next entry. 17th century pargetting on upper storey front consisting of a winged dolphin or dragon, and dated 1681.

57, 59 & 61 The Guildhouse of the Brotherhood of St John the Baptist Rate Survey Cottage adjoining the last containing Sitting room, Shop, Dairy, Kitchen, 3 bedrooms and Cellar. Warehouse under the same roof. Stable part boarded, part plastered with tiled roof. Granary with loft over, part boarded, part plastered with thatched roof. Stable, boarded and thatched. Poultry houses, boarded with thatched roof. 4 Bay Cart Hovel with Haulm top. 2 Small Barns, boarded with thatched roof, part used as Stable. 2 Small Barns, boarded with thatched roof and set of thrashing planks.

Listing Grade II* House and shop in long uniform range, built as hall of the Brotherhood or Guild of St. John the Baptist in the Church of Blessed Mary of Ashwell, formed 1476. The building is c.1500, extended by an identical bay at left end in late 16th century. Timber frame; exposed close studding on jettied upper floor. 2 storeys. 1st floor has 7 mid-19th century flush sash windows in moulded wood frames; ground floor with 4 canted casement bays, the right one a bracketed shop window. 2 flush panel doors, the right one half glazed. On left centre is the blocked opening of the former cross passage. A 3-bay hall was to right of this. Main stack on towards right is 17th century or possibly late 16th century, an insertion in previously unheated hall. Interior of left house (No. 57) shows heavy, wide-chamfered floor beam. Cellar with clunch and brick walls on left. Interior of No. 61 (Bakery) shows large clunch fireplace with timber lintel. Inside hall is the 4-centred wooden arch of the cross passage door. Important group value in street.(RCHM Typescript).

Additional informations Dendrochronology undertaken in 2017-9 suggest that the building was built c. 1460. A charter was granted by Edward IV on 26 August 1476 for the formation of a guild or brotherhood to be formed and ‘is to be called and named forever the Brotherhood or Guild of St. John the Baptist 17

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in the church of Blessed Mary in Ashwell in the county of Hertford.’ In 1457 William Freeman, a merchant of Ashwell, left 6s 8d to the guild. When the chantries were surveyed in 1547 prior to their closure, the Guild is very wealthy with rents from land worth more than £11.

This suggests that the guild was created before 1457, probably well before, and by the 1450s was wealthy enough to be able to afford building a guildhouse. Once they had the building they then appealed to Edward IV for a charter in order to secure the future of the Guild. They paid £40 for the charter.

The original building consisted of 6 bays, the easterly bay being divided into a pantry and buttery. The next bay contained the front and back entrances and possibly a screen. The other four bays were a single room. The upper floor was one room. Shutter groves are evident in all bays but front and back except in the ground floor entrance bay and the rear wall above. There is no evidence of an internal stair which might suggest that there was external on next to the rear entrance, possibly similar to the ones in the town house in Barley, Hertfordshire. The style of the bay windows suggest they were inserted in the early 19th century. A sketch c. 1840 show the west upstairs window as a casement that is leaded. This means that the upper windows were changed between then and 1876 when photos show it with the present windows. Three insurance plaques of Atlas Insurance Company are on outside wall.

It suffered the fate of other religious building in the 16th century and was closed. By the 1560s was occupied by the Bill family who presumably extended the building by one bay on the east side. inserted the main stack and divided the interior into more rooms. As there is no evidence for an original internal staircase one may have been put in at this stage.

63 The Adelong Rate Survey Cottage, stud and plastered with thatched roof containing Sitting room, Pantry and small shop on the ground floor and 2 bedrooms above. Small Barn and the use of Yard.

Cottage under same roof as last containing Sitting room, 2 Pantries and bedroom. The use of Barn and Yard.

Cottage same as the last containing long Entrance Passage leading to sitting room and bedroom. The use of a barn and yard.

Additional information The rate survey shows the building to be stud and plaster and yet the sketch by Charlotte Morice which gives a glimpse of the building suggests it was built with claybats. It was, however, pulled down in 1881 when the present house was built. Yellow brick with slate roof. There is a stone carving of an emu and a kangaroo forming the keystone over the doorway. The back and stables are older. W. P. Edwards who built this house made his fortune in Australian gold fields. 'Adelong' is an Aboriginal word meaning a river on a plain.

69 Rose and Crown Rate Survey Comprising the Rose & Crown Public house. Stud and plastered with tiled roof containing Taproom, 2 Parlours, Small back Parlour, Pantry, Back Kitchen with loft over and a Cellar. 4 bedrooms on the One pair. 2 Stables boarded with thatched roof. Small Barn or Pigsty. Yard and Garden. Pump of good Water.

Blacksmiths Shop. Stud and boarded with thatched roof.

Listing Grade II* Public House. Late 15th century or early 16th century hall house with jettied cross wings each end. Timber frame. Roughcast. Plain tile roof. 2 storeys. Former service wing on left has no windows. Jetty carried on curved brackets, the right pair possibly indicating a cross passage. 1 glazing bar casement to centre, the ground floor a 19th century canted bay. Right wing has a 3- light casement on each floor. Gables have 19th century cusped bargeboards. Left return elevation has a 18th century external stack and 2 casements. Long rear single storey 18th-19th 18 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

century extension, weatherboarded at back. 18th century stack to taller front part. Inside, the service wing retains 2 plain crown posts with struts to collar purlins only. The hall part has a rebated crown post with 2 surviving struts. Ground floor with chamfer-stopped beam and large inglenook. Well preserved example of type. (RCHM Typescript)

Additional information Was called the George Inn in the 18th century which is probably its original name. This name was often used from medieval times for inns which suggests that the Rose & Crown might have been built as an inn. The blacksmiths shop was in what is now the car park and garden.

K6 Telephone Kiosk adjoining The Rose And Crown Public House Listing Grade II Telephone kiosk. Type K6. Designed 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Made by various contractors. Cast iron. Square kiosk with domed roof. Unperforated crowns to top panels and margin glazing to windows and door.

Additional information Has housed the village defibrillator since 2017.

75 Kirby Manor Rate Survey Dwelling House, Stud and plastered with tiled roof containing Sitting room. Parlour and Dairy on the ground floor and 4 bedrooms on the One pair. Back Kitchen with Servants bedroom over, Coal house. Small paved yard. Boarded and thatched Wood Barn. Part brick and part boarded Building with thatched roof containing wood Barn and Pigsty. Boarded and thatched Building containing Cowhouse, henhouse and small Pigsty. Small old boarded Barn with thatched roof and leanto building. Barley Barn part boarded, part plastered with thatched roof. Cutting house with Nag Stable and loft over. Oat Barn part boarded and part plastered with thatched roof having 2 Entrances. Boarded Cart horse Stable and Cart hovel with thatched roof and an old Tool Barn adjoining. Leanto Chaise house. Farm Yard and 2 Pumps.

Upper Farm Homestall Boarded and thatched Barn

Listing Grade II House and shop, formerly farmhouse. C15-16 hall house with cross wings, altered early-mid- 19th century. Timber frame. Central 2 bays and ground floor of each wing cased in red brick. Plain tile hipped roof. Jettied upper floors of wings are plastered. 2 storeys. 4 windows, casements to wings, 2 flush sash windows to centre. Central door with 4 fielded and 2 flush panels. Gauged brick lintels. Wings with curved brackets to jetties and cusped wooden bargeboards. Shop window on right. The right cross wing is 3 bays deep, the rear part probably 17th–18th century. Its side wall has a 1st floor Yorkshire casement.

Additional information The room on the Bear Lane side of this building was formerly the Post Office and newsagent. The site was a lemonade factory in the late 19th early 20th centuries.

77 Bear House Rate Survey Dwelling House, Stud and plastered with tiled Roof containing Parlour with small Closet. Sitting room, roomy Kitchen. Dairy and Brewhouse. 4 bedrooms and Cellar. Cowhouse with loft over part boarded and part plastered with thatched roof. Return Wheat Barn, part brick and part clayed with thatched roof and a set of thrashing planks. Gateway Entrance and part of Cart horse Stable, boarded with thatched roof. Range of Buildings part boarded and part brick with tiled roof containing Nag Stable, Chaffhouse and Granary. Old Boarded and thatched Henhouse at end of same. Barley Barn boarded and thatched roof. 4 Bay Cart hovel and Pump of water. Upper Farm Homestall

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2 Barns boarded with thatched roofs. Old Boarded Hurdle house with thatched roof.

Listing Grade II* House, formerly farmhouse. Late 15th century hall house with cross wings. Altered late 17th century and 18th century to form continuous range. Restored 19th-20th century. Timber frame. Plastered walls. Plain tile roof. 2 storeys. 4½ bays. 4 windows, the 2 on right 19th century sashes, the 2 on left glazing bar casements. To right of door is a 3-light diamond mullioned window of 16th century. The door itself is in original position at cross passage. Wide 15th century pointed arch frame with plain wooden spandrels. To left of door the former service wing has an unusual quatrefoiled wooden ventilator band between floors. Left return wall has a 4-light blocked diamond mullioned window. Internally the hall was 2 bays to right of door; heightened to 2 storeys in late 17th century when a lateral stack was inserted at rear. Bay to right, with 19th century sashes, is an early 16th century cross-wing addition. To right of this a late 17th or 18th century half-bay addition. The left ground floor is partitioned into 2 rooms with a pair of ogee- headed doors. Fragmentary remains of an early 17th century wall painting. (RCHM Typescript).

Additional information Fragments of a rear door in the back wall opposite the front door are still in place. The house was renovated in 2017/8. Tradition has it that it was the Bear Inn in the 19th century although no written evidence can be found for this assertion. Wall painting (representing wood panelling) in the living room was removed by the then owner in 1976. The outbuildings were redeveloped as housing for the Ashwell Housing Association in 1979-80. The new buildings were designed by Peter Boston. An old clunch wall links Bear House with Dixies Farm.

91, 93 Dixies Farmhouse Rate Survey Dwelling House, Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Entrance Hall, Parlour, in Mrs. Balls Occupation, Sitting room and Pantry on the ground floor and 4 bedrooms on the One pair. Large Brewhouse and Cellar. Boarded with thatched Henhouse. Malting Office boarded with thatched roof. Malt and Barley Chambers. Range of boarded buildings with thatched roofs on the South side of Yard containing Barley Barn. Wheat Barn. Open Gateway Shed in Centre. Large boarded and thatched Wheat Barn with a set of planks. Oat Barn, boarded and thatched. Barley Barn Do. Do. adjoining. Leanto 4 bay Cattle Shed. Cowhouse boarded and thatched. Nag Stable and Calf pens. Range of boarded buildings with thatched roof containing Henhouse, Cart horse Stable and Chaffhouse. Large Cattle Shed with haulm top. Large Farm Yard and Pump of Water.

Upper Farm Yard 3 Barns boarded with thatched roof and set of thrashing planks. Large Dove House, brick built and tiled. Farm Yard and 2 old Cattle Sheds. Large 3 bay Cart hovel with thatched roof at the back of Homestall.

Listing Grade II Farmhouse, now 2 houses. Late 15th or early 16th century. Hall house with jettied cross wings each end, extended on right end and rear in 17th century. Altered 19th century. Timber frame. Plastered walls. Plain tile roof. 2 storeys. 4 19th century sash windows in flush moulded frames. Door towards left with roll-moulded frame and flat hood. Canted sash windows left and right. Another 19th century 9 door below right cross wing (No. 93). Both wings with curved brackets to jetties. 19th century cusped bargeboards. 2 19th century ridge chimney stacks with angled shafts. Right addition, probably built as barn, is 1-2 bays and single storey. 17th century stack at join with wing. Internally the roof has a crown post at junction with right cross wing; further crown post at right end. Rear elevation shows 17th century gabled addition on left and 18th-19th century hipped bay on right. (RCHM Typescript).

Additional information Now divided into two dwellings. The crown posts in the cross wings have been dated as being early 15th century (Adrian Gibson). The addition at the west end was a former farm brew-house. Dovecote. See the entry in Back Street. One wall was rebuilt in 1976. Farm buildings. All the original farm buildings were destroyed by the fire of Ashwell in 1850.

20 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Existing barns are weatherboarded with slate roofs built after that date, forming an enclosed court- yard, typical of old farmyards in the centre of the village, now redundant. Sold in 1978 to developers who created houses and shops/business units.

105 The Old Cottage Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with part thatch and part tiled roof, containing Sitting room and 2 bedrooms. Stud and plastered Barn now used as a Workshop. Garden and the joint use of the Well.

Cottage. Stud and plastered with tiled roof containing 2 rooms on the ground floor and 2 bedrooms above. The joint use of the Well.

Dove house, part boarded and part plastered with tiled Roof.

Listing Grade II House, built in 2 phases. Low 16th century range at front; taller range on rear left, probably 17th century. Timber frame. 19th century brick plinth and roughcast walls. Plain and machine tile roofs. 2 storeys. 3 casements; to left ground floor and right bay Yorkshire casements. Wide ridge chimney stack between 2 left bays. Right bay was probably a barn addition. It has lean-to rear addition. The rear left extension has taller roof, a small attic window in exposed gable. 2 small wood casements and a plank door.

Additional information Front wall to west of stack has a scarf joint dated to c. 1250 by Adrian Gibson. Extensive renovations done 2018-9. In 1841 this site was owned by Litlington Vicarage. Today, 2020, Ashwell Rectory stands on part of the site.

6 The Three Tuns Rate Survey Dwelling House. Brick and sash fronted with slated Roof. Comprising the 3 Tuns Inn containing Taproom, Long Club room, Best Kitchen with a Bar in front. Back Parlour with Entrance to Garden, Entrance Passage leading to Back Kitchen, Dairy, Pantry and Back Kitchen, front and back Staircases leading to 7 bedrooms and excellent Cellarage. Coal House, Brick with tiled roof. Leanto 2-bay Cart shed Boarded and pantiled roof. Double Stable, Boarded with tiled roof. 2 Leanto Poultry Houses with tiled roofs. Pump of Water.

Large Dovehouse, brick built. Range of Cart Horse Stables with loft over. brick built with tiled roof. Cart horse Stable with Granary over adjoining the last with tiled roof. Malting Office with Malt and Barley Chambers over, part boarded, part brick with tiled roof.

Upper Farm Homestall Cowhouse and Poultry house. Boarded with thatched roof.Large Cart Hovel with thatched Roof. Pigeon House adjoining. Stud and clayed. Small Cattle Shed. 2 Capital Roomy Barns, Boarded under one thatched roof. Leanto Cattle Shed with thatched roof. Stout wood frame for a Wheat Stack. Pump of Water.

Listing Grade II Hotel and public house. Early 19th century (dated brick: IPA P9 1803). Red brick. Gauged segmental window heads. Slate hipped roof. 2 storeys. Upper floor has 7 regularly spaced sash windows with flush moulded frames. Door in centre of ground floor with 2 glazed, 2 fielded and 2 flush panels. Doorcase with fluted pilasters and dentilled pediment. Either side are 3 triple-hung sash windows. Plinth, floor band, dentilled brick eaves. On west gable end are 2 large external stacks and 2 pedimented doorcases with simple cut brackets, the doors part glazed. East end with 1 stack and 1 similar door. (RCHM Typescript).

Barn. Late 18th or early 19th century. Timber frame. Weatherboarding. Plain tile half hipped roof. Red brick base. 3 bays of clasped purlin construction. S side has 3 double garage doors and a gabled attic dormer with pigeon loft. Included for group value.

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Additional information In the 18th century this was the site of the public houses The Three Tuns and the Bay Tree. It seems that they were amalgamated into one establishment in the late 18th-early/19th century. There are still two cellars.

10 Alice House Rate Survey Cottage, same as the last [see last entry un Rate survey for Glebe Cottage in Hodwell. Pg ??] containing Sitting room, Passage Pantry leading to Yard, Pantry and 2 small bedrooms. Stud and clayed Barn with thatched roof. Small yard with an Entrance from the Street. Small Garden. The joint use of the paved Yard and Well of Water.

Additional information 18th century and later features; two storeys; timber-framed and plastered; tile roof. Extension on east end in 1976 on the site of a wheelwright's workshop, a weatherboarded barn with slate roof and large doorway_ This workshop was demolished in 1975 because it was considered to be in a dangerous condition. The wheelwright’s lathe and tools were donated to the Museum.

14, 16, 18 Forresters Cottages Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Sitting room, Wash house and 2 bedrooms. Small Garden.

Cottage under same roof as last, containing large Sitting room. Pantry and one bedroom. Small Garden at back.

Cottage, same as last containing Entrance Passage to Sitting room. Sitting room, Pantry, small Wash house and 2 bedrooms. Small piece of Garden Ground.

Cottage, same as last, contains Sitting room, Pantry and 2 small bedrooms. Small piece of Garden Ground.

Cottage, same as last, contains Sitting room. Pantry and 2 bedrooms. Small piece of Garden Ground.

Listing Grade II* A picturesque group of houses dating from the late 15th century and early 16th century. Restored 1960s. Timber frame, partly exposed. Plain tile roofs. 2 storeys. The left part (2 and 3 Forresters Cottages) is a late 15th century hall house with jettied cross wings. The east part (No. 1) was built in early 16th century as 2 storey house jettied on front. 2 storeys. 7 recent glazing bar casements. 3 doors with 16th century moulded 4-centred frames. Nos. 2 and 3 are 4 windows. 2 gabled attics in centre. Upper floors of cross wings have bull-nose joists and curved brackets. Close wide studs exposed on ground floor of wings and full height'Ln centre. No. 1 has studs exposed on ground floor and a deep jetty carried on curved brackets. 17th century stack inserted next to right cross wing. Restored 17th-18th century stack on east end. (RCHM Typescript)

Additional information In 19Survey59 a developer started taking the building down but was stopped by a preservation order being put on it. The Hertfordshire Society restored it in conjunction with the Hertfordshire Buildings Preservation Trust. Replacing studs in the correct places was not considered important so the stud work is not necessarily in the correct place. It is thought that the original house was a hall open to the roof with a central hearth, the part of the building that is not jettied. The crosswings were added probably in the 16th century followed by the east wing. The hall had an upper storey inserted in the 16th century when the crosswings were added and a chimney or chimneys were inserted.

22 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C 20 Vine Cottage Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Sitting room. Small Parlour and Tailors Workshop in front and Wash house at back. 3 bedrooms on the One pair and a Cellar. Long Wood Shed with thatched roof. Good Garden at back and a small piece of Garden Ground in front. Well of Water.

Listing Grade II House. Late 17th or early 18th century, altered mid-19th century when front was faced in white brick, now rendered. Timber frame. Roughcast gable ends. Plain tile roof. 2 storeys. 3 windows. Recessed sashes on ground floor, glazing bar casements on upper floor. Flush panel door on left centre. Lean-to extension on left has similar door and window. Both doors have picturesque mid-19th century wooden Tuscan porches with cusped barge boards. Said to have been the Dun Cow P.H. (RCHM Typescript)

Additional information Is claimed to have been the Dun Cow public/beer house although no documentary evidence has been found.

24, 26 Westrope's Shop now estate agent and pharmacy and London House Rate Survey Dwelling House. Sash fronted, stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Sitting room and large Grocers and Drapers Shop in front. Back Kitchen. Pantry, Warehouse and Wash house at back, 4 bedrooms and Cellar. Long pantiled Shed and Good Garden. Pump of Water.

Additional information Late 19th century brick house; two-storey and attics; prominent gables set on a concave curve. Splendid iron fire- escape at the rear.

28 - 34 Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing 2 Sitting rooms. Pantry and Wash house on the ground floor and 4 bedrooms on the One pair. Roomy Wheelers Shop, stud and plastered. Long Barn used as Wheelers Shop, boarded with thatched roof. Barn, boarded with tiled roof. Small Stable, Boarded with pantiled roof. Henhouse and Cart shed with thatched roof. Small Garden. Large Wheelwrights Yard and Pump of Water.

Cottage adjoining under same roof, containing Sitting room, Pantry and One bedroom.

Additional information Late 19th century brick houses.

36 Ventnor House Rate Survey Tenement. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing 3 rooms on the ground floor, Back Kitchen, 2 Pantries, 4 bedrooms and Landing on the One pair. 2 Barns boarded with thatched roof. Garden and Pump of Water.

Additional information Mid-19th century brick; sash windows; slate roof. Patterned tiled hall. Formerly a butcher's shop with an abattoir, now a house, at the rear in Hodwell.

40 Plait Hall Rate Survey Dwelling House, part brick, part stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Sitting room, 2 Workshops on the ground floor, 2 bedrooms on the One pair. Wash house and Cellar. Barn with back entrance into Church Lane. Small Yard. 23

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Wheat Barn boarded with thatched roof and a set of thrashing planks. Oat Barn, part boarded and part bricked with tiled roof. Small Hovel with thatched roof. Boarded and thatched Stable or Cowhouse. Barley Barn, boarded and thatched. Return part of Do. abutting on House. Yard and Pump of Water. Butchers Shop.

Listing Grade II House. Mid and late 17th century, recased mid-19th century. Roughcast. Slate roof. 2 white brick ridge chimney stacks. Timber frame. Original brick plinth. 2 storeys and attics. 5 flush sash windows, mostly 6/6-pane with thin glazing bars. The 2nd and 4th bays are extended up as wide gabled eaves dormers. 2nd bay from right has a flush panel door with moulded frame and scrolled bracket hood. Internally the central section is mid-17th century, showing chamfer- stopped axial beam. But stack inserted on right in late 17th century. To right of this is late 17th century bay, evidently built as a kitchen. Straight braces to clasped purlin roof in upper part. Former plaiting school. (RCHM Typescript).

Additional information Extension to rear c. 1966, and to east in 1978. Attic gables were in existence in 1861 when the front door was at the west end of the house. Interior beams show some ornamental carving with traces of joiner's marks on others. Formerly a school for straw plaiting, a 'cottage industry'. The finished plait was taken to Hitchin market where it was bought by Luton hat makers. Cob-walled barn with pantiled roof is the sole survivor of a number of outbuildings. The barn, which is thought to have been a tithe barn, burnt down in 1911

42 & 44 Stella House present dental surgery Rate Survey Dwelling House. Brick and sashed with slated roof, containing Tailors Shop, Grocers Do. and 2 sitting rooms on the ground floor and 4 bedrooms on the One pair.

Dwelling House attached to the last. Stud and plastered with thatched roof containing Sitting room, bedroom, Coal place and Cellar. Stable, Pigsty and Cart shed thatched. Yard and Pump of Water.

Additional information A building, brick faced in the 19th century, with some exposed timber inside. Date 1876 on gable. Barge-boarded; cut-away corner. There was a stable of clay bats and pantiles and a well near it, at the rear of the building. The stable fell down in 1978 and has been rebuilt in modern materials re-using the pantiles. In 1881 George Adkins and family lived there. He was a grocer, carpenter and beerhouse keeper. Eventually his daughter Fanny took over the shop and it became Fanny Adkin’s a haberdashery. It became the doctors' surgery in 20th century. The entrance in Church Lane was used for an arts and crafts gallery in the 1960s before it moved to 13 Mill Street.

50 Greyhound Cottage Additional information 18th century. Clay bat construction at the rear; Victorian brick face at the front; cellar. The deeds go back to 1699.

52, 54 Market house and Stag House Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with tiled roof containing Sitting room. Wash house and bedroom.

Cottage under same roof as last, containing Sitting room, Wash house and Pantry on the ground floor, 2 bedrooms on the One pair and Cellar. Range of old Pigsties with thatched roof. Large Garden planted with Fruit trees. Yard and Well of good Water.

Cottage as last, containing Sitting room, Pantry and One bedroom.

Cottage same as last, containing Sitting room. Pantry and bedroom.

24 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Additional information Stag house was a pub of that name having previously been The Greyhound. In the mid-20th century the two houses were the Co-op shop.

56 Susan Birch Hairdresser formerly Chippings Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with thatched roof containing 2 sitting rooms and 2 Pantries on the ground floor and 3 bedrooms on the One pair. Old Stud and boarded Shed with thatched roof. Carpenters Workshop, part boarded and part clayed with thatched roof. Small Yard and Well of Water.

Listing Grade II House and shop. 16th century. Timber frame. Plastered walls. Low slate roof, 2 storeys, the upper floor jettied on flat joists and formerly with gable end. Altered 19th century, when ground floor was built forward slightly. Mid-19th century shop window and door, joined together with architraves. Upper floor with single margin-light sash. Rebuilt late 17th century red brick ridge chimney stack. (RCHM Typescript).

Additional information Its size and original construction are comparable with the Museum building at the north end of Alms Lane and it may be from the same period. The board on the wall in Alms Lane is a drip mould to throw off rainwater. Coffin makers and carpenters were once housed in a workshop at the rear.

60 Two Brewers Rate Survey Tenement. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Sitting room. Wash house and Pantry on the ground floor. 2 bedrooms on the One pair and Cellar. Carpenters Workshop boarded and thatched. Part clayed, part boarded Hovel with thatched roof over Saw pit. Old thatched open shed.

Cottage under same roof containing Sitting room. Pantry, One bedroom and Cellar. Well of Water.

Listing Grade II House. Built 16th century, probably as single storey structure. Heightened in late 17th century, perhaps as late as c. 1700. Timber frame. Roughcast walls. Steep pitched plain tile roof with exposed purlins. Painted brick to ground floor of east gable end. 2 storeys. Front has wooden eaves cornice with widely spaced square modillions. 2 recent sash windows. Plank door towards left. Right return has floor band and blocked round light. 17th century lateral stack on rear right. Weatherboarded rear extension. Internally the left 2 ground floor rooms have a chamfered beam without stops. Formerly the Two Brewers Inn. (RCHM Typescript).

Additional information Extensively renovated in the 1980s.

62 Smithy Cottage Listing Garde II House. Mid-19th century. White brick. Low slate roof. 2 storeys. 3 recessed sash windows with 8/8-panes. Gauged flat lintels. Central replacement door. 2 stacks. Included for group value.

Additional informations Was a village smithy.

66-68 Rate Survey Cottage, Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Sitting room. Kitchen, Pantry and 2 25

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

bedrooms. Small back Kitchen. Pigsty, Carpenters Shop. Yard and Pump of Water.

Cottage as last containing Sitting room and bedroom.

Listing Grade II House and shop. 17th century or earlier. Timber frame. Plastered front. Right return elevation with early 20th century red brick to ground floor. Roughcast to jettied upper floor. Steep pitched plain tile roof, the right bay formerly a gabled cross wing. 2 storeys. Upper floor has 2 sash windows without glazing bars. Ground floor with 19th-20th century double shop front, each window with 12 panes. Formerly a butcher's shop

Additional information For most of the 20th century it was Denis’s butcher shop. Fine shopfront with bull's head in the centre c. 1920. It later became part of Ashwell Stores and then an Indian take-away. In the 2000s the shop was closed and made part of the house.

There is evidence in the roof, and a dragon beam showing that it was originally jettied to the front. It has been suggested that it was built as a shop when built in the first half of the 16th century. (Adrian Gibson).

70, 72 Ashwell Stores and Parade House (including attached rear barn) Rate Survey Dwelling House, Stud and plastered with tiled roof containing Sitting room, Parlour and Grocer and Drapers Shop in front and 3 bedrooms. Back Kitchen, Pantry and Cellar. Barn used as a Stable and Store room. Boarded Leanto Cart shed with thatched roof. Good Garden. Yard and Pump of good Water.

Listing Grade II House and shop. 15th-16th century hall house and cross wing heightened in 17th century. Timber frame. Roughcast. Plain tile steep pitched roof. 2 storeys. 2:1 19th century flush sash windows, the left ground floor pair triple hung. Door on right with 6 flush panels, a heavy wooden frame and large scrolled brackets with flat hood. Lateral red brick stacks to rear of No. 72. Internally the left end of No. 72 has, on 1st floor, a low cambered tie beam demonstrating that the building has been heightened. Adjoining at rear is an early 19th century barn. Painted clunch walls. Brick base. Low pitched slate roof. Square cart entrance in line with entrance through Nos. 1-3 Gardiners Lane (q.v.). (RCHM Typescript).

Additional information In 1979 was a village grocery store and an antique shop.

74 Digswell Manor Rate Survey Kiln House with Malt room over, part brick, part plastered with tiled roof. Malting Office with Malt and Barley Chambers over, part boarded, part plastered with thatched roof.

Listing Grade II House, the rear attached outbuildings formerly a malthouse. Early-mid-17th century, one or more bays on left removed to expose central stack. Timber frame. Plastered walls. Plain tile steep pitched roof. 2 storeys. 2 late 19th century flush sash windows. Central 6-panel door with cut-bracket pedimented hood. Left gable end has exposed large red brick stack. Battered sides. 3 joined shafts with vitrified brick to angles. Former malthouse is 18th-19th century in 2 blocks. Front block has brick and clunch ground floor; plastered timber frame upper floor. Rear block has white brick ground floor and plastered upper floor. Steep pitched plain tile roofs. Rear of house shows 1 gabled dormer.

Additional information Wrongly named as until the 19th century this was the courthouse of the Manor of Westbury Nernewtes.

26 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C 82 (Bacon's House) and 84 previously called Ferndale and The Old Saddlery Rate Survey Dwelling House, Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing sitting room. Parlour and Shop in front. 4 bedrooms. Cellar, Pantry and back Kitchen. Range of boarded Buildings with thatched roof containing Coalhouse, Cart horse Stable with loft over. Boarded Barn with thatched roof and set of thrashing planks. Leanto Henhouse, Pigsty, Cart Hovel and Nag Stable with thatched roof. 5 bay Cart Hovel and Poultry house with thatched roof. Boarded Granary with thatched roof. Do. Cowhouse at end of same. Barn, boarded and thatched with 2 Entrances. Yard and Pump of good Water.

Listing Grade II House and shop. 17th century or earlier, refronted mid-19th century. Timber frame. Roughcast left gable end (No. 84). Painted brick on right. Steep pitched plain tile roof. 2 storeys and attic. 4 recessed 8/8-pane sashes with gauged brick lintels and roll moulded jambs. Door of No. 82 has heavy brick surround with roll-moulded piers and shaped cornice. Moulded panel door with 2- light fan. No. 84 has mid-19th century shop with half-glazed door and 15-pane window. Roll- moulded architraves with paterae; cornice hood. 17th century leaded casement in left return gable end. Extended from rear of No. 84 is a mid 19th century barn in white brick. Slate roof. 4 small casements. To rear of No. 82 is a roughcast 17th century gable end with assorted windows including a 17th century 2-light leaded attic casement. Barn extension on this side has, on ground floor, plank doors alternating with sash windows.

Probably 17th century in origin. Timber-framed and plastered; tile roof. The front is refaced in 19th century brick. Two storeys and attics. 4-window range of double-hung sashes with glazing bars. 19th century former shop window with glazing bars and half-glazed door. Formerly an old barn with a rope walk at the rear.

Additional information Interesting brick-cased cellar. At the rear of the building was a long stretch of land which was a rope walk – a place where rope was made.

86, 88 Cambridge Villas A pair of typical Victorian villas built of yellow bricks. Those on the front were made at Arlesey, and those on the side at Stotfold.

90 Dixies Cottage Rate Survey Dwelling House, stud and plastered with tiled roof containing 2 rooms and Pantry on the ground floor, and 2 bedrooms above. 2 Barns, Small garden and small Yard.

110 Ash Farm formally called Woodlands (including rear attached barns) Rate Survey Dwelling House brick and tiled containing Entrance Passage, Sitting room. Parlour, Back Kitchen, Dairy, Cellar, Store room and 4 bedrooms. Small Frontage Garden with Pallisado fence. 2 bay Cattle Shed. Old boarded and thatched Pigsty. Part boarded part plastered with tiled roof Cart horse. Stable and Henhouse. Small boarded Wheat Barn with thatched roof and set of Planks. Large Barley Barn boarded with thatched roof. Boarded Wheat House and Cowhouse with thatched roof. Leanto Pigsty and Cart Hovel. Old Waggon Hovel. 2 Barley Chambers over Malting Office.

Listing Grade II House, formerly farmhouse. Circa 1670 front. Early 18th century and 19th century rear additions. Timber frame. Painted brick ground floor, plastered upper floor. Plain tile steep pitched roof. 2 storeys and attics. The front has a deep wooden modillioned eaves cornice. Ground floor has heavy moulded brick floor band. 3 19th century sash windows, the ground floor with 1 to left and 2 to right of door. To front left is a 18th-19th century single storey plastered extension. Attics to gable ends. On rear left is an early 18th century barn addition. Upper floor with exposed framing and painted brick infill. Late 17th century lateral stack on rear right. 27

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Adjoining on rear right is a range of 3 barns. 18th-19th century. Timber frame. Corrugated iron roof. Barn nearest house has painted clunch walls and pantile roof. (RCHM Typescript).

Additional information Formerly a farmhouse, then a bakery-display area for the bakehouse next door (2 West End). The staircase is well regarded and Mrs Phyllis Fordham would bring people around to see it.

Outbuildings - A barn of clay bats with pantiles incorporated into the house with modern additions c.1975. A parish drain runs through the garden.

Hodwell 17 Hodwell House Additional information Built in 1965 in a pleasing traditional style with rendering and a tiled roof. There was once a fish and chip shop in the front garden.

The Old Rectory Rate Survey Mansion House. Sash fronted with Slated roof, containing Vestibule, Entrance Hall, Dining Room, Drawing room, Domestic Offices, 6 best bedrooms and 2 servants Rooms. Barn part boarded, part clayed with thatched roof and Leanto Coal and Shoe house. Range of Boarded Buildings with tiled Roof, containing Chaise house. Harness House, 3 Nag Stable and Wash house. Leanto Henhouse, boarded with tiled roof. Chicken house and tool house boarded with thatched roof. Pigeon House. Boarded and clayed with thatched roof. Large Kitchen Garden. Flower Do. Upper Farm Yard Boarded Granary with tiled roof on stone pillars and caps.

Listing Grade II House. Circa 1830. Stucco on brick. Low-pitched slate roof. 2 storeys. 3 slightly projecting window bays. To centre is square projecting porch with 2 Greek Doric columns, a plain entablature and a thin shallow pedimented cornice. Half glazed double doors. Segmental fan. Each bay has 6/6-pane flush sash windows. On W end are 2 external stacks with a pair of sashes between. Contemporary single storey service extensions on E.

Additional information Built soon after 1812 when the Revd Henry Morice became vicar. Earlier outbuildings (including a dovecote) and Victorian additions to the house were demolished in 1928. It stands partly on the clunch foundations of the earlier timber-framed vicarage.

22-26 Dove Cottages Additional information Part cob, part lath and plastered. Rendered front; tiled roof. 118th century brick ground floor infill may indicate the infill of a former jettied front. The first cottage has old beams and may be the large dovehouse which was somewhere in this area in the mid-19th century (see the Lucas painting in the Museum).

28 The Green Thatched Cottage Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing2 rooms on the ground floor and 2 bedrooms above. Garden Yard and Pump of Water.

Cottage Same as last, containing Sitting room, 2 bedrooms, Kitchen and Pantry. Old Leanto Barn with thatched Roof.

Listing Grade II House, formerly 2 cottages. Later 17th century and early 18th century. Timber frame. Plastered walls. Tarred brick plinth. Thatched roof. L plan. 2 storeys. 2 glazing bar casements; 1 casement to right-hand front projection. 18th century external stack on right gable end. Main part has 28 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

original ridge stack in centre. Rear has a 18th-19th century lean-to in clunch and roughcast with slate roof.

Additional information Once a cooper's cottage. Until the Enclosure Award this was the pinder's cottage. He was responsible for any stray sheep and cattle rounded up and placed in the Pound at one time behind Pleasant Place. A ford to the northeast of the cottage once crossed the river and came up to the lane by Ducklake. There are the remains of old watercress beds at the bottom of the garden. Was extended in the 1980s.

30 Pleasant Place Rate Survey Cowhouse and Pigsty, Boarded with thatched roof. Garden, Yard and Well of Water.

Small Garden adjoining.

Additional information Built before 1841. Painted brick with slate roof; cottage extension. Water from a spring flows into the garden behind the house.

Village Lock-up Listing Grade II Village lock-up or cage. Early-mid-19th century. Small square building with clunch walls and slate pyramid roof. On west elevation is original studded plank door in oak frame. Barred iron grill above. Flat wooden eaves.

Additional information It was built with clunch from the chapel on the north side of the chancel of St Mary’s Church, which was demolished c.1799. Amos Pammeter was the last person put in the lock-up (c.1900). It is said he dug his way out under the door. The damage the bottom of the door has been caused by the base getting wet and therefore rotting.

Moss Cottage Homes Additional information A plaque on the north gable reads 'For Aged Residents of Ashwell, 1904e, on the south gable 'These homes were erected by George Moss Esq. a native of Ashwell, in memory of his mother Frances Moss'. A photograph of the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone is in the Ashwell Museum. Single storey red brick.

Glebe Cottage and Neighbour Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing Sitting room. Pantry and bedroom. Small Garden.

Cottage adjoining the last with tiled roof, containing Sitting room, Pantry and 2 small bedrooms. Pantiled Shed.

Cottage same as last containing Sitting room, Parlour, Pantry and 3 bedrooms. The joint use of Wash house. Small paved Yard and Pump of Water.

Additional information There are only two houses there today to one on the corner of Hodwell and High Street, i.e. the last on the list above, having been demolished.

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Kingsland Way 27 The Manse Additional information Mid-19th century brick under a slate roof. Formerly the house of the minister of the Congregational Church. Original cast iron and tile fireplaces in the front room and one bedroom. There is a well at the rear.

36-38 The Smithy Rate Survey Lime Kiln, brick built. Lime House part boarded part plastered with thatched roof

Additional information Site of smithy and previously a lime kiln, (an alternative name for Kingsland way is Lime Kiln Way). A tunnel under the road here to Mr Jarman's quarry. The cottage was built in 1825; rendered; tile roof. An important part of the view into the village from Slip End Road.

33 Cliff House Additional information Built in 1873 (date plaque). Stucco on clay bats; slate roof; ·seaside· detailing. Unusual style of house for the village. Charles Scrivener Walkden, accountant at the brewery, philosopher and instigator of a herb farm in Station Road, lived here.

Lucas Lane Formerly Station Road; also once called Townshend. The name Lucas Lane was restored in 1975.

14 Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with thatched roof containing 2 rooms and Pantry on the ground floor and 3 bedrooms on the One Pair. A Detached Barn. Small Garden and Well of Water.

Cottage under the same Roof-as last, containing Sitting room, Pantry and bedroom. Small piece of Garden Ground.

Listing Grade II House. 18th century. Timber frame. Plastered walls. Machine tile roof. L-shaped building, 2 storeys. Front has 2 mid—19th century flush sash windows with margin lights. Central 4-panel door with simple cut bracket hood. 1-window rear projection with similar sashes. Gable ends have internal red brick stacks. Lucas Lane is marked as Station Road on Ordnance Survey (1975 ed.)

Additional information The barn has been converted into part of the house.

16 Alder Cottage Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and clayed with roof, containing 2 Sitting rooms. Pantry and 2 bedrooms. Old Barn, Stud and clayed with thatched roof. Leanto Wood Barn. Old Hovel. Garden and Well of Water.

Listing Grade II House. Mid-19th century. Timber frame. Plastered walls. Low pitched slate roof. 2 storeys. The front has 3 6/6-pane sash windows to each floor. 6-panel door on left in panelled reveal. The door and windows have unusual Egyptian style architraves. Each architrave is treated as a thin panel with star, cross, lyre and other patterns on the angle paterae, and with scroll-shaped acroteria. Between the right 2 1st floor windows is a plaster panel with relief figure of horse. Included for group value. 30 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

20 Additional information This house seems to have been part of Alder Cottage at the time of the Rate Survey. 18-19th century. Rendered; slate roof. Pleasant woodwork, the work of Samuel Evans. a joiner who owned the property until c.1930. A well survives and is exposed under the present living room floor. A plaque with the figure of a horse left as the trademark of George Smith, a plasterer, in 1948.

22 Townsend House Additional information 19th century. Rendered brick under a slate roof. Extended c.1960. An old stable block with weathervane to the rear. Brick wall with rounded coping bordering Ashwell Street. W. E. Bacon once lived here. He was the author of a 19th century leather-bound 'Commonplace Book' now in the Museum. He once owned the Saddlery (84 High Street).

30 The Cricketers Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and clayed with thatched roof, containing 3 Rooms on the ground floor and 1 bedroom over. Small Barn and old Shed. Small Yard and Small Garden.

Additional information Formerly a pub of that name, 1860s to 1950s. Slate roof; cellar.

32 Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and clayed with thatched roof containing Sitting room. Pantry and bedroom. Small piece of garden ground at the bank.

34 Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing 2 Parlours in front and Kitchen and Pantry at back on the ground floor and 3 bedrooms on the One pair. Detached Coal house. Stable and Barn, Stud and clayed with thatched roof. Summer House, Boarded and sashed with slated roof.

Cottage. Stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing 2 rooms on the ground floor and 2 bedrooms above. Small old Barn and Small Garden.

Listing Grade II House. Late 17th century. Timber frame. Roughcast, steep pitched roof with 20th century pantiles. 1 storey and attics. Off-centre chimney stack in dark red brick with 2 square shafts. 2 glazing bar casements. 2 eaves dormers, each with small glazing bar panes. Clasped purlin roof. 20th century porch.

36 The Elms Additional information Victorian 'doll's house' front.

The War Memorial. Listing Grade II Ashwell war memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principle reasons: * Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it made in the First World War; * Architect: by the nationally renowned architect Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens (1869-1944), who designed 58 extant memorials at home and abroad including the Cenotaph in Whitehall; * Design: a simple yet elegant War 31

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Cross, with the unusual feature of a two-stepped circular base rather than three.

Mill Street 1, 3 House and Crump's Butcher's Shop Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Sitting room. Pantry and 2 bedrooms. Small Leanto boarded Barn with tiled roof. Good Garden at back.

Cottage under the same Roof as last, containing Sitting room. Pantry and 2 small bedrooms. Small Barn and piece of Garden ground.

Cottage, same as last containing Sitting room and 1 bedroom.

Listing Grade II Pair of houses, now one property. 17th century or perhaps earlier. 19th century 1-bay extension on south end. Roughcast walling. Plain tile roof, half hipped on north end. 5 19th-20th century glazing bar casements. Half glazed doors each end. Renewed stacks on left and centre.

Additional information A butcher's to north shop since 1871. There was a slaughter house behind the building until after WWII.

7 Little Garth Additional information Called the Mill House in 1877. A pleasant 19th century house. Yellow brick with slate roof. Some decorative cast iron railings and wall bricks; tiled hall. High wall (originally for a conservatory) with a portion cut out for a sight line to see who was walking down Alms Lane.

9-13 Le Goodgrooms Additional information 19th century stock brick with red brick arches; tile roof. Tunnel access to rear, with weatherboarded and slate barn along the Gardiner's Lane frontage. Tailor's shop in c.1930; Seven Springs Gallery and Craft Shop 1970s-2000s.

Bushel and Strike Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing Sitting room and 2 bedrooms.

Cottage under the same Roof as last, containing Sitting room, Dairy, Pantry and 2 bedrooms. Garden, Orchard, Yard, Barn and Well of Water.

Cottage, same as last containing 2 rooms on the ground floor

Additional information Two storey and cellar; brick; slate roof. Thought to have been the 17th century Wheatsheaf. Bought and rebuilt by Fordham's Brewery in 1846.

17 Ash Cottage Rate Survey Cottage, part brick, part stud and plastered with thatched roof containing 2 rooms and Pantry on the ground floor and bedroom above.

Listing Grade II Cottage. Late 17th or early 18th century. Timber frame. Roughcast. Machine tile roof. 1 storey and attics. 2 19th century 3-light glazing bar casements. Half glazed door with moulded frame and cut bracket hood. 2 casement dormers. Early chimney stack.

32 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Additional informations Extended c.1974.

21, 23 Merchant Tay1ors' School House Listing Grade II Built as school by Merchant Taylor's Company, London, 1681. Extended at front in 18th century and at rear c.1870. Main block is in local 17th century red and white brick, repaired in 19th century. Plain tile hipped roof. 2 storeys and attics. Large external chimney stacks on both ends. Moulded brick floor band, returning as plain band across flanks. 2 triple-hung sash windows with gauged brick heads. Fielded and flush panel door with flat bracketed hood. Twin leaded hipped dormer casements. Above door is a pedimented stone plaque inscribed, 'This school was built by the Merchant Taylor's Company London 1681, being the gift of Mr. Henry Colbron, late of London scriveners, deceased. Edward Bushell Master, John Taylor, Robert Kaye, John Short, John Brett wardens'. Single storey front right extension of late 18th century: 1 sash, 1 casement. T-shaped rear extension, the back range with louvred tiled belfry. Ornamental ridge tiles. Gothic windows.

Additional information Above the stone plaque is a Sun Insurance plaque. The curved garden wall on the corner of Mill Street and Rolley’s Lane has an inscription recording the Company's gift of 5 feet of land for road widening in 1857.

Photographs of the opening of a new classroom in 1876 are in the Museum.

In 1947 it became the local centre for further education and library and in 1968 it became a field studies centre as well. The education aspects closed in 2001and the library in 2002.

29, 31, 33 Block of Cottages Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Sitting room, Pantry, Bedroom and Garret. Small old Wood Barn.

Cottage, same as the last.

Cottage the same as last, containing Sitting room. Pantry and 2 bedrooms. Small old Barn and Small Garden.

Cottage as last containing Sitting room. Pantry and bedroom. Old Wood Barn.

Listing Grade II Pair of houses. 16th century or earlier. Broad 17th century cross wing on north end. Timber frame. Clunch and brick base. 20th century pargetted cement walls, all painted white. Plain tile roof. 2 storeys, the cross wing with attic. 4 windows, all square and diamond leaded casements in 17th century metal frames. 2 20th century plank doors. Wide south gable end with exposed floor plates, ground floor with 4-light casement, 1st floor with 3-light casement. To left No. 29 is late 16th century. 1 storey and attics with 3 similar leaded casements and 2 gabled attic dormers. Machine tile roof. Front range has 2 20th century red brick stacks.

Additional information Major restoration of 29 in 1978-9 and of whole block in 1982. Interesting boarded barn attached to the back of 29. Estate cottages.

37, 39 Block of cottages Rate Survey Tenement. Stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing Sitting room. Kitchen, Mangle room, Pantry and 2 bedrooms. Barn adjoining.

Called Bacons Farm

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Large Boarded Barn with 2 Cartway Entrances and thatched roof. Range of old Buildings containing Barn, Cowhouse and Stable, boarded and thatched. Leanto Pigsty and Cart shed.

Listing Grade II Range of houses, the north end (Nos. 39 and 41) a late 15th century or early 16th century hall house. Early 17th century south extension. 1762 date on hall cross wing. Timber frame. Cemented walls with 20th century pargetting. Painted brick base. Fish scale and plain tile roof. 2 storeys on south; 1 storey and attics on north. The 2-storey range has 5 18th century 2-light leaded casements, the gabled cross wing with a 3-light similar casement to each floor. north part is 1 window, the ground floor with a 17th -18th century 5-light leaded casement and the attic with a 17th century 2-light gabled dormer. The cross wing immediately to south has the upper floor jettied on plain joists and curved brackets. 17th century red brick ridge chimney stack abutting on north was inserted into cross passage of former hall. South block has 2 rebuilt ridge stacks. Internally the hall on north has a fireplace with clunch jambs and timber lintel. Cross wing fireplace is wholly of clunch with a depressed 4-centre head. Both hall range and wing have clasped purlin roof. (RCHM Typescript)

Additional information Estate cottages. All these cottages have plaster pargetting. Restored by Water Tapper in the early 20th century and again in 1983.

43 Additional information An attractive estate cottage built in 1911.

Ashwell Bury Rate Survey Dwelling House. Sash fronted with Slated roof containing Entrance Hall, Parlour, 2 Kitchens and 2 Pantries on the ground floor, 4 bedrooms on the One pair. Boarded Brewhouse. Coal house and Granary with tiled roof.

Range of Boarded Buildings with thatched roof containing Chaise house, 2 Stables and Chaffhouse. Leanto Henhouse with tiled roof at end of same. Large 8 bay Barn with 2 Cartway Entrances, Boarded with thatched roof. A Return Barn attached to the last with 5 bays thatched. Range of Boarded Buildings with thatched roof containing Stable, Cowhouse and old Cart Shed. Large Wheat Barn with a thrashing Machine fixed in same Boarded with thatched roof. Large Barley Barn with a set of thrashing planks, Boarded with thatched roof. 2 Cattle Sheds. Pump of Water. In the Upper Yard. Large Boarded Barn with thatched roof. Old Pigeon House used as a Tool House plastered and thatched. Cart Shed and 2 Cattle Sheds.

Listing Grade II Small country house. Early, extended late 19th century. Altered and extended by Sir Edwin Lutyens 1922-26. White brick, rendered in white cement. Stone quoins and floor band. Slate hipped roof. 4 red brick stone-dressed chimney stacks. 2 storeys. 5 sash windows. Central Doric style doorcase with segmental open pediment and fluted consoles. Above is a triple sash window. To left end is a single storey addition with stone corner pilasters and moulded stone cornice. Triple sash window. Lead urns. Rear elevation with blank Tuscan Serliana motif. The house has a deep eaves soffit with moulded architrave. Interior has a large square staircase hall top-lit by octagonal dome. Upper walls have glazing bar casements each side, the rear ones with mirrors. Front left room with panelling and good classical fireplace by Lutyens. Another Lutyens fireplace on rear left. (PEVSNER (1977))

Additional information The building referred to in the Rate Survey was demolished in the 1850s and the present house built to the west of the original house. A wall from the original house survives in the garden.

The unusual staircase in the house is to the same design as that in the British Embassy in Washington DC. It was a convalescent hospital during the 1914-1918 war. Remnants of a garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll are still visible. 34 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

45, 47 The Gate House and Brewery Cottage Additional information Built in in the late-19th century this building was the office of the manager of the brewery and also contained the Boardroom. It was converted into houses when the brewery site was demolished in 1973.

2 Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing Sitting room. Pantry, Small bedroom and Closet adjoining.

Listing `Grade II House, once part of Swan House, Swan Street (q.v). C17 timber frame. Steeply pitched machine tile roof. White brick square stack on left gable end. 2 storeys. 2 C20 glazing bar casements. Plank door on left with thin cut bracket hood.

4, 6 Listing Grade II Pair of houses, probably built as a barn. Early-mid C19. Roughcast walls. Tarred brick base. Low pitched slate roof with wide eaves soffit. 2 storeys. 5 windows, the centre 2 sashes, those of upper floor with original glazing bars. Outer windows glazing bar casements. Flush panel door on left (No. 6); plank door on right. Both doors with simple moulded frames and cut bracket hoods. Central white brick ridge chimney stack. Included for group value.

Lychgate Listing Grade II Lychgate and adjoining wall. 15th century, the wall 19th century. Lychgate is timber frame. Plain tile open timber roof in 2 bays. Crown post construction carried on ties with arched braces. Curved braces to side walls. 19th-20th century wooden gates and 19th century brick base. Wall is 75 metres long on north. Red brick, some white brick. Some clunch where wall bends near north end. Limestone saddleback coping.

Additional information A quarter size model which comes apart showing how a timber frame is put together is in the Ashwell Museum

St Mary's Church. Listing Grade I Parish Church. 14th century (completed 1381). 15th century north porch and aisle windows. Large building with exceptionally big west tower. Clunch. Flint rubble. Some red brick. Low pitched slate roofs behind parapets. 4-stage west tower has deeply projecting stepped angle buttresses. Leaded spike with crenellated octagonal base. Lowest stage has 4-light Decorated-style traceried window; belfry stage has paired pointed arches with traceried panels. North and south aisles have 3-light traceried windows; hood moulds; cinquefoiled lights. Chancel with 3-light restored 14th century windows. North porch is single storey. Original door arch and windows. 2-storey south porch has 19th century restored gabled front. Lierne vault with naturalistic foliage bosses. Internally, the nave is 5 bays. Composite piers illustrating stylistic progression: east 3 with rounded piers, west 2 with canted piers. Tall west arch with canted piers; walls either side with 2 tall traceried panels. 15th century aisle roofs, the north one largely restored. Chancel has good mid-14th century sedilia: 4 cinquefoiled arches with crocketed ogee gables. Fittings: hexagonal wooden pulpit dated 1627; 15th century traceried wooden screen to Lady Chapel in east bay of south aisle; 19th century replica font on early octagonal base; 15th century benches near Chancel. On north wall of west tower are remarkable 14th century graffiti: an inscription recording survival of citizens of Ashwell during great plague and a drawing of Old St. Paul's Cathedral, London. (Pevsner (1977)).

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Additional information The tower is 176ft. high and the tallest in Hertfordshire. The spire was added later, but exactly when is not known. It is mentioned in the churchwardens’ account of the 1560s and a William Waller carved his name with the date 1633 on the lead on one of the little flying buttresses. The dates of the six bells range from 1694 to 1817. The clock was donated by Mr G. Westrope in the 19th century.

At the foot of the tower and elsewhere in the nave there are a number of medieval drawings and writings incised in the stone, the most famous of which are a drawing of old St Paul's Cathedral and references to the plague of c.1350, which must have been incised soon after the tower was built.

The south porch has a muniment room above and 18th century gates. The piscina and blocked doorway, which can be seen on the outside of the north wall of the channel as well as the raised bits of land, are evidence for the chapel which was pulled down c.1799. An engraving, c.1840, of the interior sketched by Charlotte Morice the daughter of the Vicar Henry Morice, which can now be seen in the Museum, shows box pews and other fittings subsequently removed. In Domesday Book there was a priest at Ashwell, so presumably there was a church as well. Nothing earlier than the 14th century survives.

The Stables Additional information Built in the early 20th century. Brick with steeply pitched tiled roof. Converted into a house in 2019.

The Mill Rate Survey Dwelling House, Stud and plastered with Tiled roof containing Sitting rooms. Small Counting House, Pantry, Small Kitchen on the ground floor and 3 bedrooms on the One pair. A Watermill, part boarded, part plastered with tiled roof. Overshot Wheel, driving 3 pair of Stones and all other necessary going gears with Corn Loft, Meal Bins etc. etc. Boarded Granary with thatched roof. Boarded Henhouse and Pigsty with thatched roof. Boarded Stable and Chaffhouse with thatched roof. Leanto Shed adjoining.

Listing Grade II Mill and mill house, now one house. 17th century, altered and extended c.1973. Original mill house is at S end: timber frame with late 19th century roughcast casing and fenestration, plain tile roof. House extension at north over mill race: red brick, slate roof. 2 storeys and attics. S elevation has gable end with glazing bar casements, the lintels with bracketed hoods. Walls with cement pattern of studwork. 1 storey and attic extension towards road with tile-hung gable and small 19th century stack. 19th-20th century small weatherboarded shed attached. The mill wheel at the north end brought from Fordham Brewery.

Additional information Restored in 1973 and a modern addition built out over the mill race to replace the weatherboarded building there. The water wheel, which came from Fordham Brewery, was set in motion in 1977. Awarded Heritage Year Commendation 1975, and North Herts District Council Highest Commendation 1976.

At the time of the Domesday Book there were three mills in Ashwell valued at twenty-four shillings. It is presumed that one of them was on this site

Newnham Way 2 West Point Additional information A well-proportioned Victorian house in a commanding position. Low multi-paned sash windows with a slate roof.

36 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Partridge Hill Partridge Hall Additional information Built c.1850. Claybat construction cased with red brick built c.1920. Three storeys at one end. Slate roof. Last occupied in the mid-1980s

The Rickyard Additional information Eight houses built in 1976 of brick, weatherboarding and rendering, forming a quasi-cobbled mews.

Silver Street Ashwell Primary School Additional information Built in 1878 with later additions. The new hall block was built in 1972-4. Interesting open rafters and bell tower are in the original block.

32-36 Cottages at the top of Bull's Head twitchell Additional information Built by the Stag Club (a sick benefit club).

40 Chaff Cutters Additional information Formerly the Chaff Cutters beerhouse. Rebuilt after the 1850 fire.

Telephone Exchange Additional information Brick, 1970.

Springhead 11–19 Cottages Additional information Built in late-19th century by Fordham’s Brewery for workers. A row of cottage going from Springhead to the river were demolished in the 1960s.

27 Ducklake Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with tiled roof containing Entrance Hall, Parlour, Large Kitchen, Dairy, Cellar, Cheese room and 3 Bedrooms. Frontage flower Garden. Small paved Yard and Pump of good Water. Boarded Stable with thatched roof. Very large Wheat Barn with set of thrashing planks and 2 Cartway Entrances Boarded with thatched roof. Cowhouse Boarded and thatched, Range of boarded Buildings with thatched roof containing 2 Cart horse Stables and Chaffhouse. Range of old Boarded Buildings with thatched roof containing Henhouse, 4 old Pigsties and 4 old Cattle Sheds. Malting Office, part boarded, part bricked and part Stud and plastered with part thatched and part tiled roof. An old Boarded Workshop and Brewhouse with thatched roof. 4 Bay Cart and Waggon Hovel. Old Wood Shed and Hurdle House. Dovehouse, Stud and plastered with tiled roof. Large 3 Bay Wheat Hovel with thatched roof.

Listing Grade II* House. Two hall houses joined in one long range. Late 15th century or early 15th century origin on north; 16th century origin on south. Timber frame. Roughcast walls. Plain tile roofs. 2

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

storeys. 3 plus 3 bays, the two houses joined by c.1600. E elevation has 8 windows, a mixture of early 19th century flush sash windows and, in centre, 17 century leaded casements. Central early 19th century fielded panel door with flat hood on scrolled brackets. South gable end has a large venetian sash window inserted by Sir Albert Richardson in 1930s. House is divided internally into two parts of identical size by a very unusual skewed transverse frame. In the 1st room from the south on the ground floor is a good 16th century figured and decorative wall painting covering studwork and an ogee-headed door frame, a free geometrical design with a scrollwork frieze containing classical grotesques holding cartouches. (RCHM Typescript).

Barn Grade II Probably 18th century. Long range of at least 8 timber frame bays at right angles to road. Weatherboarded. Corrugated iron roof. 5 elevation with 20th century double garage doors. Double purlin roof.

Granary. Grade II Early 17th century. Timber frame. Weatherboarded. Plain tile roof with gable end to road. Single storey. 20th century garage doors at front. Small 17th century diamond mullioned window on south side.

Additional information The barn. Long weatherboarded building, could be 17th century in origin. The corrugated iron roof was replaced with Spanish slate in the early 21st century. It once housed an old smithy. Behind was once a thatched bridge over the river.

2 Spring Cottage Listing Grade II House. Mid-18th century features, possibly an earlier core. Timber frame. Roughcast walls. Plain tile gable end roof. 2 storeys and attics. Ground floor has panelled door towards left with a mutuled pedimented hood and fluted dentilled pilasters. 2 triple-hung sash windows. Upper floor with 2 8/8-pane sashes. Central gabled dormer and red brick ridge stack. Lean-to on left, probably 18th century, has another triple-hung sash. Formerly the Waggon and Horses P.H.

Additional information Once the home of Ralph Baldwin, an 18th century lawyer, magistrate and landowner. Later became the Waggon and Horses Beershop and Garden and then a shop. It was not possible to identify it on the Rate Survey.

6, 8 Mulberry Tree Cottages Listing Grade II Semi-detached pair of cottages. Late 17th or early 18th century. Timber frame. Plastered walls. Painted brick base. Thatched roof with central rebuilt ridge stack. 2 storeys. Plank doors each end; 2 8/8-pane sash windows between. Above are 2 Yorkshire casements. To rear is a 19th century single storey outshut in painted brick with slate roof

Additional information Formerly Fordham estate cottages. Derived it’s name from the mulberry tree in the garden of no.8 which was cut down in the 2000s. A new mulberry tree was planted in the 2010s. It was not possible to identify them on the Rate Survey.

16. Ringstead Additional information An imposing Victorian residence; yellow brick with slate roof. Ornate door surround surmounted by lion's head. Sash windows. Pleasant wall with round coping and dentilled border along road, sympathetically altered in 1975 to make car entrance.

9-19 Brewery cottages Additional information 19th century red and yellow brick fronts; tiled roofs.

38 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Station Road 35, 37. Additional information Brick. Built in 1924 (date plaque on central chimney) in arts and crafts style for the employees of Fordham's Brewery.

Council Houses Additional information Built 1920-24 in the arts and crafts style to be seen in Letchworth Garden City. The architect for the then Hitchin Rural District Council was John Tickle, an assistant of Parker and Unwin who designed Letchworth Garden City.

Ashwell Cemetery Tombstone in New Cemetery to Mary Morwenno Bolitho, wife of Philip Le Grand Gribble. Listing Grade II Tombstone, in corner of New Cemetery. 1924 by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Portland stone. A slightly tapering tabernacle frame with moulded segmental head. Stepped sides and base. north side has shallow niches with good relief carving of Virgin and Child. Inscribed dado and rear wreath motif.

Tombstone in New Cemetery to Wolverly Attwood Fordham Listing Grade II Tombstone in north corner of New Cemetery. 1921 by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Portland stone. Rectangular pier dressed with Ionic pilasters at the angles and an entablature at the top. South side with recessed inscription. Below this are carved candle and bushel motifs. Entablature with fruit carved frieze. Fruit drops between pilasters at sides.

Chapel of Rest Additional information Designed by Sir Albert Richardson in the arts and crafts style.

Swan Street 5 Tower Cottage (including attached rear outbuildings) Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing 2 rooms on the ground floor. Small Barn and Garden.

Listing Grade II House. 19th century painted brick casing to 18th century or earlier timber frame. Steep pitched plain tile roof. 2 storeys, the upper floor with 2 recessed sash windows, the ground with pair of segmental headed glazing bar casements on left and, on right, a door and window paired under a bracketed hood. 2-storey rear extension of plastered timber frame, the east side with a 18th century 2-light leaded casement. On rear left is a 18th century lean-to in brick and timber frame. Interior of house has exposed floor beams and a stone vaulted cellar.

Additional information 20th century front had additional entrance to sweet shop watched through surviving window in partition wall. Deeds from 1671 exist for a house on this site. A mid-18th century deed shows that this cottage was bounded by the market place.

The Parish Room, formerly Technical Room Additional information Built in 1890 as an evening hobby room (debating, strawplaiting, etc.) it has been used for many 39

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

things including a room for the Merchant Taylors’s School. A peacock sign on the end wall is the Fordham crest. The room was donated by Rupert Fordham of Broom (Bedfordshire). Renovation and rear addition in 1976.

Ashwell Village Museum Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing 2 rooms and Pantry on the ground floor and 2 bedrooms above. Good Garden and Well of Water.

Cottage under the same roof as the last, containing Sitting room. Pantry and 2 small bedrooms. A Garden.

Listing Grade II* House, now museum. Built c.1500, extended at rear early-mid C19. Restored C20. Exposed timber frame with plaster infill. Plain tile gable end roof. 2 storeys, the upper floor jettied on bull-nose joists and curved brackets. Close-set wide studs. Door on right with 4-centre head. Left of this a pair of casements with renewed arches and mullions. Upper floor has 2 4-light casements with hollow-carved mullions and square leading. E elevation with 1 similar window on ground and first floor. To left of these is a wide C18-19 external chimney stack. Rear section is plastered brick. 3-light Yorkshire casement to upper floor, S side. On W side are single 2-light Yorkshire casements at rear; 2 ground floor mullioned windows at front. Internally the museum shows a crown post roof. Open fireplace. (Scheduled Ancient Monument). (RCHM Typescript)

Additional information Formerly called the Town House (from 17th century to present day) as it was considered to be the place where the lord of the Manor of Ashwell, the Abbot of Westminster, or to be precise his representative, conducted business. In 1642 it was part of the Manor of Kirby the lord of which was St John’s College, Cambridge. The College owned it until the late 19th century. The building was bought for the village by a local committee, then renovated through the generosity of Sir William Gentle who paid for the restoration. Ashwell Village Museum was opened in 1930.

Recent dendrochronology suggests it was built c.????

2 Six Bells (Former Six Bells Public House) Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Sitting room. Parlour, Kitchen and Pantry on the ground floor and 5 bedrooms on the One pair. Old Leanto Coal place.

Barn, Stable and Cowhouse with loft over, boarded with thatched roof.

Additional information It was the Six Bells pub from the 1840s until the 1930s. A drawing by Charlotte Morice c.1840 shows it as a jettied building confirming it was timber-framed.

6-8 Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing Sitting room. Pantry, Small bedroom and Closet adjoining.

Cottage under the same Roof as last, containing Sitting room and bedroom on the ground floor.

Cottage, same as last.

10. Swan House Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with tiled roof containing Sitting room, Parlour, Pantry, Dairy and Wash-house on the ground floor, 4 bedrooms on the One pair and Cellar. Roomy Bakehouse with an Oven. Old Boarded Brewhouse with thatched roof. Small part boarded and part clayed Barn with thatched roof. Clay and thatched Stable and Chaffhouse with Duck-house 40 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

and Shed under same roof. Garden and Pump of good Water.

Listing Grade II House, formerly the Swan Inn. Late 17th or early 18th century. Timber frame. Roughcast walls with plastered coved eaves cornice. Plain tile roof with central square red brick stack. 2 storeys and attic. 2 flush sash windows with wide wood frames. On left side, an early-mid 19th century doorcase with fluted pilasters and open mutuled pediment. Gable end has 2 sash windows on ground floor and 1 in attic

Additional information It was a pub called the Angell in 1609. In the 19th century it was the Swan.

12, 14 - (Pin Cottage) and 16 Rate Survey Cottage. Stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing Sitting room. Pantry, Small bedroom and Closet adjoining.

Cottage under the same Roof as last, containing Sitting room and bedroom on the ground floor.

Cottage, same as last.

Listing Grade II Range of worker's cottages. 17th-18th century timber frame. Mid-19th century brick casing, now painted. Low pitched slate roof. 2 storeys and attics. 2 17th-18th century red brick ridge stacks. 6 20th century casements. 4 eaves dormers all with 9-pane casements. 3 doors with 20th century reeded frames and bracketed hoods. Internally the ground floor rooms have heavy chamfered ceiling beams.

18 - 24 - (even) Listing Grade II Terrace of houses. Early 17th century on left (Nos.22, 24); right half probably 17th-18th century. Recased mid-19th century. 20th century details except for good early 17th century mullion and transom window between Nos. 22 and 24. 2 storeys. 6 glazing bar casements. White brick ridge stack, built up from 17th century base, between Nos. 22 and 24. The 17th century window has ovolo-moulded cross bars to inside and diamond metal mullions. To rear of No. 24 is lower 2- storey extension terminated by white brick stack. Nos. 18 and 20 have stuccoed ground floor and painted brick upper floor.

Additional information West end house possible owned by the Carter family who had a brewhouse as well as a slaughter house. Both John and Mary served as overseers of the poor, John in 1728-9 and Mary in 1738-9. Part or all this array of houses was leased by the parish for a workhouse at various time between 1722 and 1834.

12-24 Workhouse Row Additional information 18th-19th century cottages. Rendered under slate roof; some 3-storey, some two. Change of roof line shows where cottages were added to at a later date. Nos 20-24 were renovated in 1978, when a mullioned window between 22 and 24 was discovered. It dates from c.1600, so must have come from earlier house.

In the 18th century the Ashwell overseers of the poor rented property for a workhouse. This is one of the sites they rented.

This part of Swan Street has the appearance of a village green.

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C West End 1, 3 Thatched Cottages. Rate Survey Stud and plastered Cottage contains 2 rooms on the ground Floor and 2 bedrooms over.

Cottage under the same roof as the last - Do. Do. Small wood Barn with thatched roof. Small yard and garden.

Stud and plastered Cottage with tiled roof containing 2 rooms on the ground floor and 1 bedroom. Small stud and tiled wood house. Good Garden and well of water.

Cottage under same Roof containing one room on the ground floor and Small Pantry and 2 bedrooms. Small old stud and clayed Barn with thatched roof and small yard.

Cottage Stud and plastered with tiled roof containing One room on the ground floor and bedroom over. Shoemakers shop plastered with thatched roof.

Cottage same as last containing Sitting room and Pantry on the ground floor, bedroom over. Old boarded and thatched leanto Cowhouse. Small yard with well of good water. A small Orchard.

Listing Grade II Terrace of cottages. Later 17th century or early 18th century. Timber frame. Plastered walls. Thatched roof. 2 storeys. 4 small 19th century glazing bar casements to upper floor; ground floor with 4 sash windows, the left three attached to contemporary plank doors. Right return gable end is jettied on upper floor and has exposed 18th century studwork to ground floor. 2 ridge stacks, rebuilt 19th century. Left return has a mid-19th century 2-storey slate roof extension with small diamond pane casement to rear wall.

Additional information 19th century extension in Wilson's Lane. Straw plaiting was once carried out here. Was three cottages now, 2019, two. Probably built by Robert Wilson in the 1650 when he was charged with building a house without 4 acres of land attached to it which was illegal.

7, 9 Additional information Two cottages formerly a primitive Methodist Chapel. Mid-19th century. The first Gipsy Smith preached here.

25. The Cottage Rate Survey A Cottage stud and plastered with tiled roof containing 2 rooms on the Ground floor and 2 bedrooms above. Small boarded Barn at the end of House with thatched roof. Old Wood Shed. Do. Small Yard. Long narrow Garden planted with fruit trees and Well of Water.

Listing Grade II House. 15th-16th century hall house, extended at rear in late 17th century. Front range heightened in 18th century. Timber frame. Plastered walls. Plain tile roof. 2 storeys. Upper floor has 2 19th century cast iron casements; ground floor with 2 margin-light sashes. Internally it has 3 bays, the right 2 built as an open hall. Chimney stack added at right gable end in 17th century. Rear left extension is 2 storeys and lower. Roughcast. Slate roof. 2 3-light glazing bar casements. Central red brick ridge stack, internally with attached stair. Front roof has king post. (RCHM Typerscript)

Additional information A cambered tie-beam and arched braces in the roof indicate a medieval origin. A possible original jetty indicated by south-east gable. A hole in the floor of later rear kitchen was possibly once an ice-box.

42 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C 31 Chantry House Rate Survey Cottage Stud and plastered with thatched roof containing one room on the Ground floor and 2 bedrooms. Piece of Garden ground.

Cottage same as the last containing 2 rooms on the Ground floor, Pantry and 2 bedrooms. Piece of Garden Ground.

Listing Grade II House. 15th century, altered 17th century. Timer frame. Walls in clunch, plaster and painted brick. Steeply pitched thatched roof. 1 storey and attics. 3 casements, those on the ground floor leaded, those in dormers with glazing bars. Right end wall are clunch. Blocked 15th century stone window with remains of cinquefoiled lights. To left centre and right gable ends are 17th century red brick stack. On right end is a thatched lean-to with clunch walls. Internally, 2 trusses enclose the centre stack. To right of stack is a 17th century cable-mounded beam. Inglenook on right end blocking the 15th century window.

Additional information The cinquefoiled lights could have been inserted after the dissolution of the monastic houses in 1547 When some religious houses in Ashwell were closed. The moulded bean has stops at the east end but not at the inglenook end suggesting that it was cut when the inglenook was put in place. The British Queen Inn in the 19th century.

37. Rate Survey Cottage stud and plastered with thatched roof containing Sitting room and Pantry on the Ground floor and 2 small bedrooms above. Small yard and small garden with a clay Barn now building and Well of Water.

Additional information Not listed. Early-to-mid 19th century cottage with slate roof. Forms an important group with no.39.

39. West End Cottage Rate Survey Two Cottages stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing 2 rooms and Pantry on the Ground floor and 3 bedrooms above. Small Yard and small Garden. Boarded Barn with thatched roof. Narrow Shed Do. Pump of good water.

Listing Grade II Cottage. Late 17th century or early 18th century. Timber frame. Plastered walls. Thatched roof. 2 storeys. 3 glazing bar casements, the front and rear elevations with central eaves casement dormer. Red brick ridge stack towards right. Probably 3 small bays

Additional information An important focal point at the south approach to the village. Renovated with extension on the south-east side in 1977.

41. Orchard Cottage Rate Survey Cottage, Stud and plastered with thatched roof containing 2 rooms and Pantry on the ground floor and 2 bedrooms above. Barn stud and plastered with thatched roof. Yard and well of good water. Garden and Close of Pasture adjoining. Piece of Arable Land lying in the Open Field.

Listing Grade II House. 17th century or earlier, extended 19th and 20th century. Early part is timber frame with roughtcast walls and steep pitched thatched roof. Composite chimney stack on right gable end where a lower mid-19th century wing adjoins, also rough cast, but with pantile roof. 2 storeys. 2 43

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

casements, those on 1st floor cast iron, ground floor windows glazing bar. Extension has a 1st floor Yorkshire casement. Large 20th century extension on left is not of special interest.

2. The Old Bakehouse Additional information Probably 16th-17th century in origin. Timber-framed; some plaster and some brick infilling; a cross-wing on the west end with an extension on the north. Renovated unsympathetically c.1967. Until then there was a cross-wing with an oven extending to the south. The baker was Webb followed by Morley.

This building was part of the farm that is now called Ash Farm, 110 Hight Street (see above). Neither the 1841 tithe map nor the 1877 Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 map show a house here but rather a building fronting directly onto the road and stretching back some distance suggesting a barn. The 1899 and the 1923 Ordnance Survey maps of the same scale shows a much truncated building but still fronting onto the street. The1829 rate survey mentions when describing the farm buildings of Ash Farm: ‘2 Barley Chambers over Malting Office’. It seems reasonable therefore to conclude that the barn to the rear was demolished between 1877 and 1899 leaving the malting office in the front. As tradition has it that it was a bakehouse it is reasonable to assume that it was as well as a dwelling. The 1871 and 1881 censuses record an Elizabeth Kerbyshire, baker, living in this area although it is difficult to say exactly where.

It would therefore appear that the bay of the building fronting the street was demolished in the c.1967 renovation.

4. Farrows Farm Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with tiled roof containing Entrance Passage, Sitting room. Parlour and back Kitchen in front. Passage leading from Sitting room to Dairy and 2 Cellars and 4 bedrooms. Stud and Plastered building with tiled roof containing 2 Cellars and granary over. Boarded building with thatched roof containing Pig House and double Cowhouse. Oat Barn part boarded part plastered with thatched roof and a set of Planks. Barley Barn brick with thatched roof. 2 Leanto Cattle Sheds. Lofty Boarded Wheat Barn with thatched roof. Wheat Hovel and frame. Leanto Piggery with thatched roof. Old 3 bay Cart hovel. Brick and Tiled Pigeon House.Brick Building with tiled roof containing Cart and Nag Horse Stable and lofts over. Henhouse, Stud and plastered with tiled roof. Malting Office, Stud and plastered with tiled roof. 2 barley chambers are in Mr. Burrs occupation.

Listing Grade II Barn adjoining Farrow’s farmhouse. Barn. Late 17th century or early 18th century. Timber frame with red brick infill, 1 bay on right plastered. Steep pitched plain tile roof. 3 bays. Single storey. A lower 19th century range adjoining on left is not of special interest

Barn range at Farrow’s Farm to west of farmhouse. Barn range. 15th-16th century at South end. 1687 large barn adjoining on North. The large barn has 17th century w} side. Walls have narrow slit ventilators in upper part. Interior has 5 bays. 4 original tie beams, the centre 2 remaining king posts with diagonal struts to purlins. One beam is inscribed ‘this barn wass buil[t …] 1687’. South part is timber frame with weatherboarded walls and lower pitched roof. 5 bays, a narrower 2 bay range on South. Both parts with heavy wall posts and studs, the North part with curved wall braces on West.

Additional information The house in the Rate Survey was pulled down in the early 19th century and the present house built. There are four barns on this site. From the road there is a timber-framed barn followed by the brick barn. Beyond that and parallel to the road is another timber-framed barn. Behind the house is a further brick barn. The brick barns contain Ashwell bricks probably made in Brick Kiln Close in Northfield. On the barn behind the farmhouse there is a plaque also with the date 1687 and the initials R.E.H. which refer to Sir Richard Edward Hutchinson. 44 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

14. Westbury Farm Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and Plastered with tiled roof containing Entrance Passage, Pantry, Hall, Parlour, Sitting room, Coalhouse, Back Kitchen, Dairy and 5 Bedrooms. Detached double Cellar brick built and Granary over. Detached brewhouse, part brick, part plastered and Henhouse adjoining. Division Pigsty and Chaffhouse with thatched roof. Boarded Stable with tiled roof. Chaffhouse and leanto Pigsty, Granary Stud and brick with tiled roof and loft over. Old Barley Barn, Stud and plastered and thatched roof. Old boarded Nag Stable and Henhouse Do. Wheat Barn, boarded and thatched with a set of Planks. Boarded Cart Hovel with thatched roof. Boarded Cowhouse Do. Oat Barn part boarded and part bricked with thatched roof. Pea Barn boarded with thatched roof. Large 5 bay Wheat Hovel with thatched roof. An old Hurdle Shed.

Listing Grade II Farmhouse. 15th-16th century hall house with jettied cross wings. Mid-late 19th century fixtures. Timber frame. Painted stucco walls and brick base. 2 storeys. 4 2/ 2 -pane sash windows in flush moulded frames. 3 on ground floor triple hung. Dorr towards right has 2 flush and 4 moulded panels and a cut bracket hood. 4 bays, centre 2 bays with wide-chamfered crossed floor beams, probably inserted. Single storey leanto on left and with sash window. Rebuilt stack near cross wing. The right cross wing has a 2-bay mid-17th century rear extension. Sash windows to rear bay. Large ridge stack with ovolo-mounded bay and 19th century renewed shafts. Gabled stair turret with leaded window projects on east side.

Granary. Mid-17th century. Timber frame. Gable front with painted brick ground floor and weatherboarded upper floor. Side elevations with exposed studwork and red brick infill. 2 storeys over cellar. Front wall with 2 arched cellar openings. Steep pitched plain roof with wavy edged bargeboard. Plank door to each floor.

Additional information Owned by Henry Colbron in 1655, although he did not live there, who left over £700 from his estate to the Merchant Taylors' Company, London, to found a school in Ashwell. It is possible that John Bunyan preached in the granary. The list of listed buildings also mentions an outbuilding, a barn, which no longer exists.

Village Hall Additional information Mid-19th century. Clay bats with slate roof. Formerly Page's Malting. Purchased for the village for £450 in 1922. The plaque on the front wall reads 'Through the generosity and personal service of Mrs W. A. Fordham this building originally a Malting was converted into a Village Hall and equipped as a centre of Social Life •• '.

22. Westbury Cottage Additional information Late 19th century. Brick with slate roof. Unusual multi- paned window in west end taken from the old brewery. Formerly brewery office.

24. Westbury House Additional information Mid-19th century claybat house with bay windows and slate roof. Formerly part Page's brewery. Called Daw's House in 1877.

Woodforde Close Additional information 18 houses built in 1970-71.

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Outside the Village

Ashwell End Beresfords (Called Ashwell End House by English Heritage) Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with tiled roof, containing Entrance Hall, Parlour, Dairy and Back Kitchen on the ground floor and 4 bedrooms on the One Pair. Detached Workshop. Boarded with thatched roof. Small Fancy Water Mill boarded with thatched roof. Range of Boarded Buildings containing Cart Horse Stable, Nag Stable and Cutting Barn. Oat Barn. Boarded with thatched roof. Cowhouse at end of Do. boarded and thatched and a Pigsty. Granary boarded with thatched roof. Leanto Henhouse. Wheat Barn. Boarded with thatched roof and set of thrashing planks. Large Barley Boarn. Boarded with thatched roof. Cart Hovel and Cattle Shed Do. Henhouse. Boarded with thatched roof and an old Pigsty with Haulm top. Dove House. Stud and clayed with thatched roof.

Listing Grade II House. Mid-16th century. 18th century external features. Timber frame. Recent pargetted plaster. Steep pitched plain tile roof. L plan. 2 storeys. Front has 3 18th century leaded casements of 2, 4 and 2 lights. Panelled door on right. Rebuilt ridge stack. 1-bay 16th century wing on rear right; 18th century hipped rear stair turret. Interior has 3 heavily framed bays. Beams with wide chamfers and swept stops. Clunch inglenook. Cellar beneath wing. SE elevation has 3 18th century leaded casements.

Additional information Article in Country Life 14th January 1949. Old moat now filled in. Benjamin Kirbyshire farmed here in 1841.

Bluegates Farmhouse and Farm Buildings Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with plaintiled roof, containing Entrance Passage, Sitting room. Parlour, Kitchen, Dairy and Brewhouse with room over same. 3 bedrooms and 2 Cellars. Range of boarded Buildings with thatched roof, containing 2 Henhouses and Pigsty. Barley Barn boarded with thatched roof. 3 bay Cattle Shed with thatched roof. Granary Boarded with thatched roof. Second Barley Barn Boarded with thatched roof. Range of Boarded Buildings containing cutting House, Small Wheat Barn with a set of thrashing planks and Pea and Bean Barns. Cart horse Stable for 6 Horses, Boarded and thatched. Cow-house, Boarded and thatched. Nag Stable, Boarded and thatched. Henhouse Do. Granary part brick nogged, part boarded with tiled roof. Dovehouse, Stud and clayed with tiled roof. Leanto 4 bay Waggon and Cart Shed with thatched roof.

Listing Garde II* Farmhouse. Mid-16th century, extended at rear in early 17th century. 20th century front extension. Timber frame. 20th century pargetted plaster. Plain tile roof. 2 storeys. Main range is 3 bays with a gabled cross wing at left end. Right 2 bays built as 2 storeys. 4 leaded casements, all original 18th century, but upper floor of cross wing has small early 17th century ovolo-mullioned casement. The 2 right bays have 2 sets of 3 light casements divided by principal post in middle, the ground floor windows with roll-moulded frames. Large mid-16th century ridge stack with 4 square shafts. 20th century door in 4-centred frame. Rear elevation has an early 17th century gabled stair turret with 3-light casement. Rear of cross wing has small mullioned 18th century casements, the one on right ground floor in shallow projecting bay. Left rear has 2 bay wing, the rear bay an early 17th century addition. 18th century casement of 2 and 3 lights. Large stack between bays. Interior of cross wing has a good C16 fireplace with moulded clunch jambs and oak lintel. Exceptionally well preserved 16th-17th century farmhouse. (RCHM Typescript).

Farm Buildings Grade II Range of barns, larger barn on northeast, smaller one on southwest. Both 16th century and aisled. Timber frame. Weatherboarded. Steep corrugated asbestos roofs, half hipped on northeast. Larger barn is 4 bays. Rafters and purlins replaced. Wall posts with horizontal ties to principals. suthwest barn has smaller but heavier construction. 18th-19th century plinth to whole 46 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

range, the southeast with clunch.

Additional information Addition on the northeast of the house was built c.1947. Remains of a moat have been filled in. For a while it was converted into a pub, the Tumbledown Dick, for coprolite diggers. Outbuildings. Tiled and weatherboarded barns were built c.1910. The barn near the house which collapsed in 1975 was 17th century, It used to have a man-trap sign on it.

Old Mill House by Bluegates Additional information Built c.1908. It formerly housed a steam engine.

Bennetts/Common Lane Bennetts Rate Survey Tenement. Stud and plastered with thatched roof, containing 2 rooms and Pantry on the ground Floor and 2 bedrooms on the One pair. Range of old boarded Buildings with thatched roof containing Pigsty, Stable and Cowhouse. Barn stud and clayed with thatched roof. 2 Gardens and an Orchard planted with numerous Fruit trees.

Cottage under the same Roof as the last, containing Sitting room and Bedroom.

Listing Grade II House. Late 17th century or early 18th century. Rear extension by Sir Albert Richardson in 1930s. Timber frame. Plastered walls in pargetted panels. Steeply pitched pantile roof. 2 storeys. 3 bays, the right half blank and probably once a barn. 17th-18th century red brick stack towards right. Brick plinth. On left are 2 19th century flush sash windows. Early insurance marker in centre. Ground floor has modern door flanked by casements, all under bracketed hood. Rear extension is painted brick. Coved plaster eaves. Plain tile roof. Leaded casements. Front gable end with chinese style door hood. Inside main part are inglenook and chamfer-stopped beams.

Additional information Formerly belonged to Bennett, a fruit grower.

Bennetts Cottages Rate Survey 2 Cottages newly built, stud and plastered with thatched roof containing 4 Sitting rooms on the ground floor and 4 bedrooms on the One pair. Old stud and clayed Barn with thatched roof. Close of Pasture and a Garden planted with numerous Fruit trees. Well of Water.

Listing Grade II Cottage terrace. 18th century. Timber frame. Painted brick plinth and plastered walls. Pantile roof, once thatched. 2 18th century and 1 19th century ridge chimney stacks. 2 storeys. northeast side has 6 windows. Mid-19th century Yorkshire casements with leading or glazing bars, except 1 18th century leaded casement near far end. 2 doors. On far end is a 18th-19th century single storey weatherboarded outshut. Interiors with wide inglenooks.

Additional information Formerly belonged to Bennett, a fruit grower. The cottages were a coprolite pub, the New Found Out which operated from 1862 to 1923.

Loves Lane Ashwell End Farm Rate Survey

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with tiled roof containing Sitting room. Parlour, Back Kitchen, Dairy, Cheese room, 3 bedrooms and Cellar. Barley Barn, part Clay and Boarded with thatched roof. Wheat Barn with a set of thrashing planks, part boarded, part. clayed with thatched roof. Range of boarded and thatched Buildings containing Henhouse, Pigsty and 2 small Stables. Granary, Boarded with thatched roof. Cowhouse, and Henhouse Do. Poultry House adjoining. Boarded with thatched roof. Pigsty and Cart Shed. Old Wood Shed.

Additional information Extension at the back added in the 2000s. Shingle roof.

Loves Farmhouse and Ashwell End Farm House Rate Survey Dwelling House. Stud and plastered with thatched roof containing 2 Sitting rooms, 2 Pantries and 4 bedrooms. Small Stud and clayed Barn with thatched roof. Old Wood Shed with haulm top. Old Cattle Shed Do.

Additional information Probably 17th century or earlier, but extensively altered and added to in the 19th century. The original block which was faced in the 19th century has a gabled north wing with a 18th-19th century addition and a 19th century wing added on the south in brick. Tiled roofs.

Hinxworth Road The Cuckoo Additional information Flint cottage which was once the Cuckoo from the 1840s to the late 1930s.

Northfield Road Elbrook House Additional information Built in 1865 by the same architect as that of the Park House at Harston (Cambs). Edward Snow Fordham, a north London magistrate, lived here. Formerly part of the Fordham Estate.

Kirby Manor. Northfield Road Additional information 19th century farmhouse; yellow brick under a slate roof. It took the place of Kirby Manor in the High Street after the enclosures. The land belonged to St. John's College, Cambridge.

Mob’s Hole Additional information A beerhouse from 1860s to 1880s

Gardiners Lane The Grange, formerly Redlands Grange Additional information 19th century. Two storeys and attics; brick, L-shaped; roof tiled. 3-window range of double-hung sashes and glazing bars. Formerly Brassknocker Farm, which was originally sited on the corner of the High Street and Kingsland Way, but probably moved here after the 1850 fire. Built by Chapman, a successful farmer, after the fire. 0utbuilding with dove house. 19th century. Brick pyramidal tiled roof with a square timber-framed central turret.

48 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Kingsland Way Pembroke Farm Additional information Built after the 1850 fire destroyed the farm in the centre of the village. The farm was owned by Pembroke College Cambridge but now in private ownership.

Station Road Redland Farm Additional information Built after the 1850 fire destroyed Brassknocker Farm, on the corner of High Street and Kingsland Way.

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C List of Antiquities

Scheduled Monuments Arbury Banks The monument includes an Iron Age hillfort situated on high ground near the Newnham Way, 1km south west of Ashwell parish church. The monument measures 290m north east-south west by a maximum of 245m north west-south east. The defences consisted of a ditch with an internal bank. The ditch, although no longer visible as an earthwork survives as a buried feature and is visible on aerial photographs and as a soilmark. It measures an average of 5m in width and is infilled along its entire length. The internal bank survives only intermittently and measures a maximum of 2.5m in width at its top and survives to 1.2m in height at the south western end of the site. Two causeways give access to the monument, one to the north north west measures 20m in width, the other to the SSE is about 40m in width. The interior of the monument contains features which are visible as cropmarks and on aerial photographs. These marks represent rectangular, square and curvilinear enclosures, hut circles and pits which survive as buried features.

An excavation of the defences by J Bedlam in the 1850's found that the external ditch around the hillfort measures 6m in width and 4.5m in depth. The fence is excluded from the scheduling though the ground beneath it is included.

Additional information Arbury Banks (from eorthbur. earthwork) an Iron Age hill fort, originally surrounded by a bank and outer ditch. Burials were found within during coprolite diggings in the 19th century. Hut circles and other features have shown up on air photographs. Recent air photographs have revealed a complex of field systems, etc. around Arbury Banks which are Iron Age and earlier. They are described in an article in Journal of Roman Studies, Volume LXVII. A rare plant, Sesett libenotes (moon carrot) grows on Arbury Banks.

Crop Marks of five Ring Ditches west of Station Road and south of Ashwell Street This area has been designated for their considerable potential for Neolithic, Bronze Age and early medieval archaeological deposits; for their potential as a focus for later early medieval activity; as a coherent group of prehistoric funerary monuments; a major component of a multi- period ritual landscape, which incorporates a henge and a long barrow.

Highley Hill Bowl Barrow The monument includes a bowl barrow which is situated on the south-west summit of Highley Hill overlooking the Icknield Way. The hemispherical earth mound measures 35m in diameter and c.4.5m in height. Although no longer visible at ground level, a ditch, from which material was excavated for the construction of the monument, surrounds the barrow mound. This ditch has been infilled over the years but survives as a buried feature c.2m wide. The diameter of the ditch and mound together is 39m.

Additional information Highley Hill is a prehistoric tumulus i.e. barrow or burial mound. In 1313 the hill was called Nylowe, meaning 'nine mounds'

Moated enclosures east and west of Love Lane Near Ashwell End, where trial excavations in 1973 also found Roman remains. The monument includes a double island moated site and an adjacent single island enclosure. The double island site is located to the east of Love Lane. It comprises two rectangular shaped enclosures with external dimensions of c85m east-west by 50m north-south inclusive of the surrounding moats. The northern of the two enclosures is surrounded by a 10m wide moat, whereas the southern enclosure is defined by a 5m wide moat. The undulating interior of the two moated islands marks the sites of Medieval buildings and limited excavations earlier this century uncovered the foundations of masonry walls within the enclosures. A number of Medieval artifacts have been recovered from the site. The western outer edge of the site has

50 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

been truncated by a small stream and the modern lane. Some sections of the northern moat have been backfilled with farm debris. Adjacent to the west of the double island site is a second moated enclosure. The enclosure is square in shape measuring c 70m in external dimensions, inclusive of the 4m wide surrounding moat. A 4m wide outer scarp flanks its west arm. The east arm of the moat is thought to be overlain by the adjacent lane. The interior of the moated island is partially occupied by Ashwell End Farm, dating to the Post-Medieval period. The house and a small outbuilding are excluded from the scheduling, but the ground beneath the buildings is included. The uneven western part of the island may mark the location of earlier buildings associated with the moated site. The monument has two protected areas.

Mobbs Hole moated site and decoy pond North end of parish. The monument includes the well-defined remains of a double island moated site and adjacent decoy pond. The moated site comprises a small enclosure, measuring some 55m by 40m, located within the western corner of a larger enclosure, measuring 90m by 65m in external dimensions (inclusive of both 7m wide surrounding waterfilled moats). The interiors of the moated islands are flat apart from the remains of modern upcast banks from recent dredging. A linear decoy pond is attached to the south corner of the moated site. The pond measures some 100m in length and varies between 10m and 6m in width tapering off towards its south- eastern end. The pond is thought to have been constructed for trapping waterfowl but may also have functioned as an outflow channel from the moats.

Ring ditches and enclosure at Slip End Additional information The field around Slip End farm is scheduled but there are no detail on the Historic England web site other than to put it in Cambridgeshire. An early pagan Saxon cemetery was excavated in 1975. Other features have been shown up by aerial photography some of which is probably Iron Age and later. See Medieval Archaeology, Volume XX. There was a windmill on this site in the early 19th century.

Miscellaneous Ashwell Street A wide trackway running roughly parallel with the Icknield Way from Arbury Banks north- eastwards to beyond Bassingbourn, probably dates from Roman times.

Bayley's Field In the field behind Bluegates Farmhouse there was a horse-drawn tram and railway leading to 19th century coprolite diggings.

Boundary – County Between the Sinks and Highley Hill cuts Ashwell off from Odsey, Cambs. Odsey Hundred was the pre-Norman administrative unit in which Ashwell lay.

Boundary - Parish Between Ashwell and Newnham can be seen from Newnham Way about 20m on the right after the entrance to the pig unit on the left. This was created with the digging of two small ditches and putting the soil in between to form a mound. This was then planted with the hedge. This mound and hedge can be followed along the footpath over the hill and down the other side.

Carter's Pond Now filled in and grassed over, forms a pleasant green in front of Workhouse Row, Swan Street. It is part of the area where the market was once held. A chestnut tree which was planted in 1935 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Girl Guides was on the site until 2005 when it was replaced. The wooden seat round the tree was erected in 1977 to mark the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Cat Ditch This is an old watercourse forming part of the western parish boundary.

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Corner stones, Corner stones, usually of rough stone, can be found in a number of places in the village: e.g. c/o Rolley’s Lane and Mills Street, Hodwell and c/o High Street and Church Lane. These were erected to prevent horse-drawn wagons and carriages from cutting corners and damaging the corners of buildings.

Cottage Garden The cottage Garden in Swan Street was bought by the village in 1973, when it was learned that there was the possibility of the land being sold and a bungalow erected on the site. Mr Skerman, whose garden it was, died soon after it was acquired and it is now maintained by members of the village.

Dick Smith's Walk Dick smith’s Walk was named after the route of a 19th century postman and runs from the Bury towards Ashwell End.

Dixies Meadow Dixies Meadow, sometimes called Donkey Meadow, is the site of a locally rare plant, Ornithogalum nutans, a variety of Star of Bethlehem. At the opposite end of the meadow was once 'Cock Crowing Croft' said to be the last place in the village where cock fighting took place.

Dixies Stone Dixies Stone is a large glacial erratic on the verge outside Dixies farmhouse. For centuries it stood in the road near Dixies, but owing to a dispute c. 1840 between the vicar and the parish it was removed to Mill Street, where it was used outside the Brewery. In 1910 it was removed to the Bury stable yard. During the Second World War it was rolled to Mill Bridge for use as a tank trap, and brought back to Dixies c.1950.

Glytton In document from mthe 15th to the 18th centuries there is mention of Glytton. This was probably the site of the second manor in Ashwell at the time of Domesday Book and seems to have been in the area now called Ashwell end which encompasses, loves Lane and the lower part of Bennetts and includes buildings such as Beresfords, Bluegates, and Loves Farm House.

Hedge opposite Buttway Cottages This hedge has been dated by Hooper's Hedge Hypothesis to the 10th century. Further along the same lane the hedge on the north side of the land is possibly 13th century. This method of dating hedges is largely discredited but it is possible that with the number of species in these hedges they are old. The lane was most likely the one that linked two manors in Ashwell at the time of Domesday Book (1086).

Moated Sites Reasons for Designation Around 6000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches, often, or seasonally, water-filled, partly or completely enclosing one or more islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings or, in some cases, which were used for horticulture. The peak period during which moated sites were built was between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in central and eastern parts of England. However, moated sites were built throughout the Medieval period, are widely scattered throughout England, and exhibit a high level of diversity in their forms and sizes. They form a significant class of Medieval monument and are important for understanding the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains. The survival of two differing types of Medieval moated enclosure in such close proximity is rare and unusual in Hertfordshire. The enclosures survive well and have potential for the recovery of further archaeological remains.

The following moated sites are evidence of early medieval occupation:

Beresfords West and north of the house. Map ref: TL257404. Has been filled in. Bluegates Farm House. South and south-west of the house. Map ref: TL256402. Has been filled in. 52 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C

Clackitts. In a field with no house. TL248398. Has been filled in. Gardiners Lane opposite The Grange. Map ref: TL264398 Loves Farm. Around the house. Now filled in. Map ref: TL251402 Mob’s Hole Map ref: TL264438 Sansoms ?? Map ref: TL253403

Westbury. Behind farmhouse. Excavations were carried out there in 1957 and the results published in Journal of the British Archaeological Association, Volume XXX. Map ref: TL264394, 264394

Shire Balk The shire balk is the county boundary between Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. It was made by digging two ditches far enough apart to create a trackway and the soil from the ditches put on the sides of the track to form mounds which were then planted with hedges.

Springs The Springs in the village are the source of the river Rhee, a tributary of the river Cam. Freshwater springs emerge at the base of the embankment which holds up the road, above which are iron railings. Stone and cobble steps lead down to the Springs, across which there are steppingstones which were made by putting concrete into cardboard boxes. There is a date on one of the stones.

The Springs are the habitat of a rare flat worm (Crenobia alpina) which has lived there since the last Ice Age.

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Glossary of Architectural Terms

Bargeboards Facing boards placed on the gable of a building and hiding the horizontal roof timbers. Casement Window made to open on vertical hinges. Claybat Brick made of crushed chalk, straw and clay poured into a wooden mould and left to dry in the sun. Clunch Hard chalk, quarried and used like stone. A common Hertfordshire building material, but one that weathers badly. Cob Walling material made of clay mixed with chalk and straw. Dentil Small square block used in series to decorate a cornice Dormer Vertical window in a sloping roof (originally the window of a dormitory). Hipped roof Roof with sloping instead of vertical or gable ends. Jetty Projecting first floor of a building. Lychgate Porch at the entrance to a churchyard where the coffin used to rest while part of the burial service was read (from lych - a corpse). Mullion Vertical bar of a window frame. Pantile Curved roofing tile Pargetting Decorated external plasterwork on a timber- framed building Weather- boarding Overlapping horizontal boards covering a timber- framed wall. The boards are wedge-shaped in section, the upper edge being the thinner.

54 Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Note on Legislation

There are three main categories of legislation which deal with the protection of England's historical past:

Listed Buildings Following the Town and Country Planning Act of 1947, buildings of special architectural or historic interest - including houses and structures such as barns, dovecots, walls etc! - were listed and graded I, II or II* according to their importance. These lists, which are continually being revised and regraded, can be inspected at https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the- list/results/?searchType=NHLE+Simple&search=Ashwell%2c+Hertfordshire, and at the relevant county or district council planning offices. The listing of a building means that local authority consent is required before it can be altered or demolished.

Conservation Areas These were originally defined by local authorities following the Civic Amenities Act of 1967. A 'conservation area' extends much the same control as listing, but covers any building in the area, whether new or old, as well as trees and open spaces. The maps showing the area can be inspected at https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/sites/northherts-cms/files/ashwell-8.pdf.

Ancient Monuments These are scheduled under the Ancient Monuments Acts 1913-1953, consolidated 1979. They are mainly archaeological sites and unoccupied buildings. Ashwell Village Museum is both listed and scheduled.

Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Appendix C Further Reading

Records Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies (HALS), County Hall, Hertford, has an unusually full collection of documents relating to Ashwell, including churchwardens' accounts, overseers' accounts, and registers of baptisms. marriages and deaths from c.1674 onwards.

Ashwell Village Museum (open on Sunday afternoons) has transcripts of many of the records at County Hall as well as a good collection of old engravings, books, old photographs and some manuscripts relating to the village.

Books James Bettley, Nicholas Pevsner and Bridget Cherry, The Buildings of England: Hertfordshire, London 2019 Peter Bysouth, Small but Flourishing: Towns of North-east Hertfordshire’s Extra-urban Matrix, Cambridge 2013 Elizabeth Hunter and S M Fletcher, ‘Moated Sites in Odsey Hundred’ in Hertfordshire’s Past, Spring 1991

Christopher Hussey 'Ashwell, Hertfordshire' in Country Life9 Volume 101,1947, pp.512-515 and 560-563. Graham Jolliffe and Arthur Jones Hertfordshire Inns and Public houses: an historical gazetteer, Hatfield 1995. Adam Menuge, Church of St Mary the Virgin, Ashwell: Statement of significance, Ashwell Parish Church 2018 John Morris ed., Domesday Book Hertfordshire, Chichester 1976. Lionel Munby, The Hertfordshire Landscape, London 1977. Bernard O’Connor, The Coprolite Industry in Ashwell, Sandy, n.d. Hugh Prince, Parks in Hertfordshire since 1500, Hatfield 2008 Anne Rowe and Tom Williamson, Hertfordshire: a landscape history, Hatfield 2013 David Sherlock, Ashwell Church: medieval drawings and writings. A Guide, Ashwell 1978 David Short ‘Ashwell: an example of Anglo-Saxon town planning’, in Hertfordshire: a county of small towns, Terry Slater and Nigel Goose eds., Hatfield 2012 David Short, ‘Pensions and care of the elderly in Ashwell c.1620-1770,’, in Steven King and Gillian Gear eds., A Caring County?, Hatfield 2013 David Short, Snippets of Ashwell’s History Vol 1, Ashwell 1997 David Short, Snippets of Ashwell’s History Vol 2, Ashwell 2012 J T Smith, English Houses 1200-1800: The Hertfordshire Evidence, London 1992, Allan Whitaker, Brewers in Hertfordshire: A historical gazetteer, Hatfield 2006 Tom Williamson, The Origins of Hertfordshire, Hatfield 2010 The Place Names of Hertfordshire, English Place-names Society, Vol.15, 1938. Victoria County History Hertfordshire, Volume 3, 1912.